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Key Bible Verse: The crowds began to gather again, and soon he and his disciples couldn't even find time to eat (Mark 3:20). Bonus Reading: Mark 6:30–32

Thor became a Christian in his late twenties and jumped into church life with both feet. Within two years, he was in youth ministry Wednesday nights, teaching ninth-grade Sunday school, serving on the deacon board, participating in witnessing training, visiting newcomers Sunday afternoons, and attending evangelism committee meetings. He took on all of this with a young daughter at home.

"During those years," he says, "my wife and I couldn't meet each other's needs. My life was a mess. My wife insisted we talk and pray about it, to decide what areas we really wanted to serve in. The church never realized they were burning us out."

Most churches don't pick up that they're wearing out a willing member, or don't want to. When we asked 20 men with significant church involvement if they'd ever been counseled to cut back or take time off, not one said yes.

One pastor encourages church members to get involved in only one important ministry. "Even when I have a significant need, if a busy father volunteers, I tell him we're covered. While that policy's left glaring holes at times, I'm determined not to allow that guy to burn out."

—Greg Johnson & Mike Yorkey in "Daddy's Home"

My Response: My ministry focus could become more effective if …

Thought to Apply: We master our minutes, or we become slaves to them; we use time, or time uses us.
—Source unknown

Adapted from: Daddy's Home (Tyndale, 1992).

Prayer for the Week

Eternal Father, time and eternity are one and the same to You. Help me align them in my life.

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