One of the questions posed in today’s GPS guide really hit home for me today. “When, if ever, have you had a sense of being so caught up in God’s mission that you almost hated to stop and eat?” Eating is something I love to do – I have lots of favorite foods, some that are good for me and others that, well, aren’t that nutritious. In fact, I enjoy going out for dinner, or for a cup of coffee, but sometimes there feels like there truly is too much to do to take time to eat. When we begin our day, we do so with the best intentions – we pack our lunch, bring it to the office, drop it in the fridge, but by the time 3 o’clock rolls around we’re so entrenched in something that we can’t pull ourselves away and truth be told, we’ve completely lost our appetite. But the reality is, we can only go for so long before suddenly before things slow down just for a bit, and our adrenaline wears off and hunger sets in.
The times when I forget about eating are usually the times when I’m so focused on someone other than myself that my own needs are put aside. And I believe that giving is usually more rewarding than receiving, because there is something amazing about pouring yourself out so that others can reap the benefits. And the energy that you get, the fuel for continuing on, flows. But, ultimately, there comes a time when we have given so much that we have to take time to care for ourselves. We can only pour ourselves out for so long before we need to replenish what has been depleted. It’s always a balance – finding things that we are so passionate about that we can push ourselves to the limits so that we can live into them, but at the same time stepping back and looking at all that God has done through us, giving thanks, and taking time to enjoy the fruits of our labor. So, as you continue on through the day – be aware that there will be times when you toil in the ground and don’t see anything come to fruition, there are other days when you are so overcome with experiencing the blessings and witnessing the fruit of your labor that time flies by, and still other times when it is simply just good to take a step back and enjoy the view. Whatever state you find ourself in this day – know that in all of them there is glory, for each step is necessary.
