Jude 1:20 "Building up yourselves."
There are 2 kinds of people who won't understand your
need to take care of yourself: religious legalists who
never stop trying to measure up to certain moral,
ethical and religious standards; and serve-a -holics
who sacrifice self and family on the altar of endless
church activity believing that's the only way to
please God.
Clearly some of Jesus' disciples felt that way. When a
woman poured expensive oil on Jesus they were upset.
How come? Had they never read, "He makes me to lie
down...leads me beside the still waters...restores my
soul...You anoint my head with oil"(Ps 23:2,3&5)? In
Bible times oil was used to soothe, massage and
refresh, especially after a hard day or a long journey
in the hot sun.
So, God thinks its OK to take a break? Absolutely?
But serve-a-holics who need to be needed
keep thinking: "This oil might have been sold and
given to the poor." Their belief system is, "others
matter - I don't!"
Understand this: when you take care of others but not
yourself, you:
(a)become spiritually and emotionally drained;
(b)become resentful because your needs go unrecognised
and unmet;
(c)end up looking for oil in all the wrong places.
That's what drove Samson to Delilah's house. She gave
him a place to relax and let down his hair, and then
exploited it for his destruction. When we look to
others to pour the oil on us rather than learning to
pour it ourselves, we end up giving a foothold to the
enemy. Don't let that happen to you! Start taking
better care of yourself spiritually, physically and
emotionally!
Be encouraged & have an awesome day!
*thanks to my Guardian Angel for this
