Unsustainable Good

Moses' father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. 

--Exodus 18:17-18

Moses was surrounded by people who needed him. Sound familiar? These emancipated Jews had problems with each other and they required a mediator. Moses had personally received wisdom from God. So, this leader, hand-picked by the Almighty, settled the disputes of angry, hurt, and confused individuals. “From morning till evening,” Moses was knee-deep in the troubles of others. He was “all in.” He alone was bearing the weight of being the community’s peacemaker.

After a short time, Jethro, Moses’ paw-in-law, saw where all of this inter-mediation was headed. Moses could not keep this up. While Moses had the proper motivation, his method was unsustainable. One person cannot do it all. Moses was human and so are you.

At times, you and I are “all in” doing our best to help others. We care about people. So, we seek to be there for them. We are open 24/7 expressing the love of God, soothing hurts, and extinguishing fires for distressed souls. However, working alone will wear us out and ministering solo robs others of the blessing of serving. God can use others to meet the needs of people. Do not be afraid to ask others for help.  

(This above was included in a collection of devotions written for Servants Alive Ministries.)