Stop

What is it about youth ministry that lends itself to burnout?
There are lots of things that play into it:

Writing lessons
Planning events
Hanging out with students
Attending games / plays / concerts
Training leaders
Meeting with staff
Planning games
Leading parents
Answering criticism
Cleaning up
Explaining how come after cleaning up that stain is still there ...
and always will be

The list can keep going, right?

Yet, I think while those things play into it there are three main reasons for burnout (or just constant tiredness)
1. We love students and want to see them changed & live for Jesus
2. There is always more to be done in seeing that happen
3. We think that we can make it happen (or should make it happen)

And so we run from one thing to the next; always moving and never stopping
Our hearts our in the right spot;
But we soon find out that what Bill Hybels once said is true
'The work I was doing for God was killing the work of God in me.'

What do we need to do?
Stop
Be Still
Sit in the presence of God

We see this in Genesis 28:16.
Jacob is running like crazy when he finally collapses in exhaustion
And when he finally stops running, what happens?
God speaks to him
God reminds Jacob that HE is the one doing the work; HE is the one with the power; HE is God
Jacob wakes up and realizes ... Surely, God is in this place; and I didn't even realize it

When is the last time you have experienced the presence of God?
When is the last time you heard His voice?
When is the last time you were reminded that this is His ministry and that He will see it to the end?

Today
Stop
Be still
Experience Jesus