Issue 031
Do you ever feel as if your work is out of control? Another pile of
paper, set of emails, list of tasks and a number of demands conspire to wind up certain mechanisms inside of you. Perhaps your mind is sending you a silent scream of frustration and despair as you feel yourself collapsing under the weight of it all. It can seem as if there is no way out, even the classic fight or run-away options don’t provide a
viable escape. It’s as if you’re pinned down in a situation where any
move in any direction is difficult. At the same time you feel that your
family and friends are missing your presence while you discharge your
duties in your place of work. These duties it seems are even more
demanding because of your desire to be faithful to God where you
work.
The feeling of isolation grows even in the crowd because they do not
understand your situation and what it is doing to you. In fact the very
people who would support you are outside of the situation with little
or no influence.
Alone and literally pinned down there is someone who understands.
Whichever way he turned he was trapped and collapsing, exhausted
under the weight of the demand being placed upon him. This was his
life’s work, this was his moment and it was killing him. As the intensity
reached a climax he cried out, “Father into your hands I commit my
spirit.” Three days later he was walking by the shores of the sea where
he loved eating with his friends.
There is a companion walking with you in your working hours saying,
“I’ve been there and I know what it’s like. Walk with me and I’ll show
you how to put your spirit into the hands of the Father and however
low you go, you will rise.”
Luke 23:44 – 46
44It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
John 21: 4 – 14
4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus.
5He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
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Work well
Geoff Shattock
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