Lisa Notes: Avoid burnout: Introduce uncertainty

Avoid burnout: Introduce uncertainty

Burnout sets in when two conditions prevail:
Certainties start to characterize the workday,
and demands of the job make workers lose a sense of control.
~ ELLEN LANGER, Mindfulness

It’s another Sunday morning.

Get up at the same time
Park in the same spot at church
Sit in the same seats for worship
Talk to the same friends
Sing the same songs
Hear a sermon from the same chapter
Eat lunch at the same restaurant

Routine is good. Structure is good. “Decently and in order” is good.

But when it’s no longer Spirit-breathed, it can also be boring.

Introduce uncertainty.
Not as a psychological trick, but as an act of faith. God is not boring. Neither should our worship of Him be.

When we plan room for spontaneity or the non-routine, then worship and relationship and gratitude might awaken and grow.

Even though it’s a little risky (wonder what the new guy will say?) or it might fail the first time (so the new song flopped) or it might make us a tad uncomfortable (what’s next?), it can be healthy. It can be God-glorifying.

Structure doesn’t have to equal rigidity.
Plans shouldn’t rule out inspiration.

If an organization is characterized by rigid rules,
problems that arise feel insurmountable
because creative problem-solving seems too risky.
When bureaucratic work settings are of
the “we’ve always done it this way” mentality,
burnout is no stranger.

We don’t have to be afraid of uncertainty. Even though it seems a little adventurous. So is our God. Be open to options. Play with ideas. Encourage questions. Look for better ways to honor the Father.

If your church has been operating the same way for years and years, it may be time to ask yourself why.

The Word never changes. God never changes.

But He wants the Word to change us.

Do our gatherings reflect that desire and that actuality? Are we growing in love for the Lord and in love for others (Mark 12:29-31)?

If so, maintain.
If not, then what?

* * *

We’re discussing chapter 8—Mindfulness on the Job—of Langer’s book Mindfulness today at The High Calling. Please join us.

Comments (23)

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Esther Joy · 707 weeks ago

Fortunately, I have a husband who is extremely flexible and often introduces "change of plans" as we call it in our family. He keeps life (and us!) from boredom!

1 reply · active 707 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 707 weeks ago

That works. My husband is that way in our family too. Sometimes it bothers me, but in the end it’s usually the best thing. :-)

(He’s actually cooking supper right now—a surprise dish—and there is NO telling what it will be. ha.)

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Nikki (Sarah) · 707 weeks ago

Your post is great and got to tell you....I just love that picture.

1 reply · active 707 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 707 weeks ago

I love that picture too. :-) Makes me smile every time I look at it.
My recent post Avoid burnout: Introduce uncertainty

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saleslady371 · 707 weeks ago

Great word for us today, Lisa. Makes me want to sit in the opposite section of the sanctuary tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes!

Love,

Mary

1 reply · active 707 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 707 weeks ago

I thought about you this morning as I sat in my exact same seat today. ha. Did you move around?
My recent post Avoid burnout: Introduce uncertainty

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Grace.B · 707 weeks ago

You really got it right with the reflections and the questions Lisa. Very great and inspiring post. Indeed, doing the same things and expecting differents results is quiete a problem, and from time to time when I don't do it myself, God always find a way to reminds me that the routine is going into a non surprising and non sharing point. Than I follow him. Even if I don't why at first, HE always have a good reason.
Happy sunday, happy church time

Grace

1 reply · active 707 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 707 weeks ago

Grace,
You’ve reminded me of the saying that “insanity is doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results.” I forget that at times, and fall into a rut then wonder why things don’t change. I am thankful that God does indeed find a way to wake us up from our routines when we need it.

I pray you have had a blessed Sunday with your church today.

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Cathy · 707 weeks ago

A precious picture and a great post, Dear ~ Blessings ~

1 reply · active 707 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 707 weeks ago

It makes me want to yawn just looking at this baby yawn. :-) So precious.

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Joan · 707 weeks ago

Good post, Lisa. For many years, my husband and I attended a church that was so predictable. In fact, a person could miss several weeks, come back, and find they hadn't missed a thing. ____We decided it was time for a change and have never regretted our choice.____Blessings,__Joan

1 reply · active 707 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 707 weeks ago

Isn’t is hard to make a change though? I’m glad the Lord blessed your decision! I remember the last time we changed churches; it was such a difficult decision because we loved the people at our old church but circumstances made it too hard to stay. But when we finally did break to visit another church, we fell in love with the people there and their love for the Lord. The Spirit really blessed our decision too. God is good to us!

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barbarah 65p · 707 weeks ago

I tend to be a creature of habit, yet sometimes like it when things are changed up a bit (in the end if not in the beginning. :) )

Our pastor likes to change the order of service sometimes just so we don't get into mindless rote routine (good for some things, not so much for worship).
My recent post Be Strong!

2 replies · active 707 weeks ago

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barbarah 65p · 707 weeks ago

Got to thinking later this might have been unclear -- I meant the "good for some things, not so much for worship" to refer to "mindless rote routine" and not my pastor's changing things up.
My recent post The Week In Words

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Lisa notes 103p · 707 weeks ago

I thought that's what you meant (I've learned to know your heart on that), but now it is clearer. :-)

There are things I like to put on auto-pilot throughout my day (we'd drive ourselves crazy if we had to reanalyze every little choice we make in the course of a day), but we definitely don't want to put worship on auto-pilot.

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Mel · 707 weeks ago

So true. Boring can be dangerous. It's good to shake things up now and again. Thanks for the reminder :)

Blessings,
Mel
Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God
My recent post Worship

1 reply · active 707 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 707 weeks ago

Your post on Worship states it well: Just do it. Anywhere, anytime. We don't have to wait on a form or a service. That keeps our worship fresh and authentic. Thanks for stopping by.

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lauraboggess 49p · 707 weeks ago

I love that picture too! And this approach to the material. We tend to be afraid of change, don't we? Even when we say we aren't :). That last part of the chapter was very telling where she says that successful businesses are vulnerable to mindlessness because they keep doing what worked before. Trouble is, sometimes it stops working. it's hard to keep on top of that, I guess, but the wonderful thing about church is that we have a Counselor who will lead us if we let Him. But we don't always...

Great food for thought, Lisa.
My recent post Playdates: This Moment

1 reply · active 707 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 707 weeks ago

I’m horribly inconsistent in my relationship with change. There are certain areas where I crave change frequently and get bored otherwise. But other areas where I’ll cling to my routine with all I have. I wonder what that says about me. ha.

I thought that last section was good too. We tend to abide by “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, not realizing that just because it isn’t broken doesn’t meant it’s still working effectively for the current place and time.

But yes, it is wonderful that we aren’t left alone to make these decisions in church. And that God is fully capable of bringing about changes he wants, with or without our help anyway.

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Carrie, ReadingtK · 707 weeks ago

Plans shouldn't rule out inspiration.

I like that. I've been sitting here thinking about that for a few minutes and likely will keep on doing so. Nothing brilliant to say in the comment section. I just liked that remark and am going to go right on thinkin' about it for a bit! =)

Happy Monday to you!

1 reply · active 707 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 707 weeks ago

Well, you keep thinking, Carrie, and let us know what comes of it. :-)

One thing that prompts this train of thought for me is the two-sided argument of those who believe in planning versus those who believe in “letting the Spirit lead.” I’m a planner by nature, so I tend to think that the Spirit can lead WHILE I’m planning, in those phases, not only in the spontaneous “in the moment” of the event itself. However, I do like to have moments open for that spontaneity, too. I think we really need a balance. I’ve seen such rigid structures where all Spirit-breathed ideas are kicked out because they don’t fit the preconceived structure for the 10-year plan. Not good.

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char72 44p · 707 weeks ago

I agree with you. We do (at least I do) tend to get in a rut and do the same things the same way. It's good to have a little diversity. Times change, people change. Nothing stays exactly the same and we need to learn to "go with the flow" (as long as it's not unscriptural, of course.)
Blessings,
Charlotte
My recent post IN THE DESERT

1 reply · active 707 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 707 weeks ago

Yes, Charlotte. As long as it doesn’t go against scripture, I think God gives us such freedom to adapt things to our times and to the people present. I’m so thankful for our freedom in Christ.

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