Saturday, June 11, 2022

Reflection - Journeying with yourself - Sorting out your roles

Source (book): "He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", PART II "JOURNEYING WITH YOURSELF", Chapter 17 "Sorting out your roles", Page 46.
Adapted from books by Shelly Beach: Ambushed By Grace: Help and Hope in the Caregiving Journey, and It Is Well with My Soul.
 
 
You . . . only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. - Exodus 18:18
PHOTO: You . . . only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. - Exodus 18:18

Moses was a caring leader who, apart from leading the Israelites in spiritual matters, also tried to sort out their daily disputes. From morning till evening, he would attend to disputes and issues requiring the application of God's laws and instructions (Exodus 18:13), This obviously took up a lot of his time and tired him out, but Moses probably believed no one else could do the job.

His father-in-law, Jethro, pointed out how unsustainable this approach was. "You and these people who come to you will only yourselves out," he told his son-in-law frankly: "The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone" (Exodus 18:18).

Jethro wisely suggested that Moses delegate the work of judging small cases to officials he could trust, and take on only the most difficult ones. What wise advice!

One of the ways to deal with expectations that produce false guilt is to identify and determine the key roles that you play in your life. This will help you distinguish between the roles that God has given you and those that come from elsewhere; between those that only you can do and those that you can delegate to others.

Start by listing the roles you currently play. Don't think in terms of tasks that you carry out; rather, think in terms of relationships that you have in your life. For example, you would be a son or daughter to God, a child to a living parent, and maybe a spouse, a parent to your child, a sibling, or a cousin. You would be a close friend to one person, a casual friend to another, and an acquaintance to a third.

Think also of the roles you play at home, a work, in church, or at any organisations you are involved in. For example: a housekeeper at home; a manager at work; a Sunday school teacher or usher at church, a mentor; a volunteer at a local charity; or a member of your apartment block management committee.

(We've provided some space for you to do this in the next two pages.)

You don't have to come up with this list in one sitting; spend some time thinking about what you do and who you are to people in your life. As you do, keep going to God in prayer and ask Him to guide your efforts. After you've come up with your list, we'll take a closer look at it and see how we can apply Jethro's advice.

What roles do you play?
Write down your roles in each category. Think in terms of your responsibilities and relationships with others, rather than in terms of tasks you carry out.

Faith: (e.g. daughter of God)


Family: (e.g. husband, mother, father-in-law, daughter, brother)


Friends: (e.g. close friend, old friend, acquaintance)


Work: (e.g. manager, housekeeper, salesman, businessman)


Church: (e.g. Sunday school teacher, small group leader, usher, choir member)


Other organisations: (e.g. volunteer at charity, apartment block management committee, country club board member)


(Source: Different Dream Parenting)

God gives us the strength to fulfil the roles He gives us.
 

You . . . only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. - Exodus 18:18

Moses was a caring leader who, apart from leading the Israelites in spiritual matters, also tried to sort out their daily disputes. From morning till evening, he would attend to disputes and issues requiring the application of God's laws and instructions (Exodus 18:13), This obviously took up a lot of his time and tired him out, but Moses probably believed no one else could do the job.


Moses was a caring leader who, apart from leading the Israelites in spiritual matters, also tried to sort out their daily disputes.
PHOTO: Moses was a caring leader who, apart from leading the Israelites in spiritual matters, also tried to sort out their daily disputes. From morning till evening, he would attend to disputes and issues requiring the application of God's laws and instructions (Exodus 18:13), This obviously took up a lot of his time and tired him out, but Moses probably believed no one else could do the job.
Picture posted by Ventura forlag on 30 May 30 2021
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZDVxsAauSvif2B_dw_d41o5PJaHWSf9_uOyKq6yMMTlBB4OcabZagRwot9earluuLS7ddtkiink6FqljZ-pfxDlt09v5aU65g1XKaDJKjPqnpy1rybCRm5g9f5BOOq05cfDjvVFcosAMfQJLJU2DZJ_Q6ijVU7mLpaiaGHvOWJpAw4j7pBG1zYKv/s1909/192150120_4008554015932655_2532674949348448078_n.jpg
https://scontent.fsin14-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/192150120_4008554015932655_2532674949348448078_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=851I35jzzNoAX8QxELi&_nc_ht=scontent.fsin14-2.fna&oh=00_AT8NB3Wx_zVLOI6ITdsbva7bme04MWMxY19RY9Nm6YjIUA&oe=62C95EDD
https://www.facebook.com/venturaforlag.no/photos/a.954477541340333/4008554009265989/?type=3


His father-in-law, Jethro, pointed out how unsustainable this approach was. "You and these people who come to you will only yourselves out," he told his son-in-law frankly: "The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone" (Exodus 18:18).

Jethro wisely suggested that Moses delegate the work of judging small cases to officials he could trust, and take on only the most difficult ones. What wise advice!


Jethro wisely suggested that Moses delegate the work of judging small cases to officials he could trust, and take on only the most difficult ones.
PHOTO: Jethro wisely suggested that Moses delegate the work of judging small cases to officials he could trust, and take on only the most difficult ones. What wise advice!
Picture posted by shoptr3.write2edit.com
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKVGlv6fGUM2T0yPn_VlRRIB_wQz8H3BEcG17AO8ULgdGxxHJQIWPpPDmMwh_7LHjHYb_QLOvIcHtYz5Ahlr_dLbJalIpwctyZlzBUXWTFxqPsP0gVUkB_OEhENu1Gf2ZPQZvn_NzC7Q-Q7SEK2D7nFKAHyn2gRuNE6avmRDDwmd01zz5LUHY2xDU/s808/07690cef32c00176bb81a2fc88299b40.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/07/69/0c/07690cef32c00176bb81a2fc88299b40.jpg
https://shoptr3.write2edit.com/content?c=jethro%20bible&id=30


One of the ways to deal with expectations that produce false guilt is to identify and determine the key roles that you play in your life. This will help you distinguish between the roles that God has given you and those that come from elsewhere; between those that only you can do and those that you can delegate to others.

Start by listing the roles you currently play. Don't think in terms of tasks that you carry out; rather, think in terms of relationships that you have in your life. For example, you would be a son or daughter to God, a child to a living parent, and maybe a spouse, a parent to your child, a sibling, or a cousin. You would be a close friend to one person, a casual friend to another, and an acquaintance to a third.

Start by listing the roles you currently play.
PHOTO: Start by listing the roles you currently play. Don't think in terms of tasks that you carry out; rather, think in terms of relationships that you have in your life. For example, you would be a son or daughter to God, a child to a living parent, and maybe a spouse, a parent to your child, a sibling, or a cousin. You would be a close friend to one person, a casual friend to another, and an acquaintance to a third.
Picture posted by Colter Reed
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxMYaEMHDowVFkMFA6GkgP0LIONF6cjK9ZPMT4UxiXTLyMmgt1V5Bb_dD9Z6Yspp9dx7VTh2ab6nRIYkQyEt3ywzy7_mR2DipbiZZQBHZwsDgtxGr5jZ3Kajvj9A3SegvS2H1_cE-N3U9wJBZGXZm6nV2ZE3QKK8SkaZlGk0-JM-wMv4GD-vbOUR0/s418/Roles-Spokes.png
https://colterreed.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Roles-Spokes.png
https://colterreed.com/four-keys-to-balancing-work-with-lifes-other-roles/


Think also of the roles you play at home, a work, in church, or at any organisations you are involved in. For example: a housekeeper at home; a manager at work; a Sunday school teacher or usher at church, a mentor; a volunteer at a local charity; or a member of your apartment block management committee.

(We've provided some space for you to do this in the next two pages.)

You don't have to come up with this list in one sitting; spend some time thinking about what you do and who you are to people in your life. As you do, keep going to God in prayer and ask Him to guide your efforts. After you've come up with your list, we'll take a closer look at it and see how we can apply Jethro's advice.


Keep going to God in prayer and ask Him to guide your efforts.
PHOTO: Keep going to God in prayer and ask Him to guide your efforts. After you've come up with your list, we'll take a closer look at it and see how we can apply Jethro's advice.
Picture posted by Freepik
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyX348TTEOUL2WBrRYx7SgR15Ken-Lfe4wA_RBiDLxhicF2FJL3FCRCXp3kz6HNv8eRtm0S6X0omloD_GD0rwKdQfYlZZKgIctc1SieLoRg5l-V1BKNcXzV3pP1ufceKkzsRAV3hk0RUXqcSMwcOZ143wvWDuDnztoWspby_Ef_s6OLYB9mshBHFFl/s1056/dsc02397_176445-6733_1.jpg
https://img.freepik.com/foto-gratis/dsc02397_176445-6733.jpg?w=2000
https://www.freepik.es/fotos-premium/dsc02397_26773644.htm#query=thanks%20god&position=22&from_view=keyword


What roles do you play?
Write down your roles in each category. Think in terms of your responsibilities and relationships with others, rather than in terms of tasks you carry out.

Faith: (e.g. daughter of God)


Family: (e.g. husband, mother, father-in-law, daughter, brother)


Friends: (e.g. close friend, old friend, acquaintance)


Work: (e.g. manager, housekeeper, salesman, businessman)


Church: (e.g. Sunday school teacher, small group leader, usher, choir member)


Other organisations: (e.g. volunteer at charity, apartment block management committee, country club board member)


(Source: Different Dream Parenting)

God gives us the strength to fulfil the roles He gives us.


God gives us the strength to fulfil the roles He gives us.
 

We haven't appreciate the beauty of nature like it once was, or its creator until we tripped the circuit breaker and ended in isolation.
We haven't appreciate the beauty of nature like it once was, or its creator until we tripped the circuit breaker and ended in isolation.
PHOTO: "Dear Lord, help me to be honest with myself and with You in assessing the many roles I play. Help me not to think of myself as indispensable, but show me the roles that You have divinely appointed me to play, and those that I can learn to delegate.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!"
Picture posted by calend.ru - Holiday calendar in July 2018 - Sitting by the pond, Summertime
gif file generated by Animated Images Effects Generator at
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https://www.calend.ru/calendar/wp-content/uploads/Праздники-в-июле-2018-года.jpg
https://www.calend.ru/calendar/2018/prazdniki-v-iyule-2018-goda/
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/covid-19-circuit-breaker-measures-what.html

Reflection - Journeying with yourself - Sorting out your roles
Source (book): "He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", PART II "JOURNEYING WITH YOURSELF", Chapter 17 "Sorting out your roles", Page 46.
Adapted from books by Shelly Beach: Ambushed By Grace: Help and Hope in the Caregiving Journey, and It Is Well with My Soul.



"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 

"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html
 

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html
 

"Teach Us to Number Our Days", © 2008 by David Roper

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/11/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-1-40.html
 
 
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 41 - 64 (Links), posted on Wednesday, 16 March 2022
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 41 - 64 (Links), posted on Wednesday, 16 March 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-41.html
 


Reference
[1] From "He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", Copyright © 2018 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, PART II "JOURNEYING WITH YOURSELF", Chapter 17 "Sorting out your roles", Page 46-49.


Links


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