Too often our hearts deceive us into thinking …
The Lord is my slave-driver, He will never be satisfied.
He compels me to try harder.
He makes me labor more furiously;
He leads me into noisy activity.
He implores me to ignore the emptiness within and just keep going;
He prods me in the paths of perfectionism for His reputation’s sake.
As I walk through valley of the shadow of burnout, I fear a breakdown;
But no one can see the real me;
Your expectations and your people goad me on.
You prepare a list of expectations before me in the presence of my peers;
You provoke me on and on,
My cup is emptier than ever.
Surely serenity and rest will elude me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the land of the stressed forever.
How marvelous that by God’s grace, through Jesus, the Good Shepherd, our hearts may say …
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
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