Use it or Lose it

when i was growing up, there were a couple of key phrases that our pastors seemed to use frequently while looking for volunteers. . .
"Use it or Lose it" - directed at those with musical/teaching talent.
and the general call to everybody. . .
"We'd rather burn out than rust out! And all God's people said. . . Amen!"

i started playing piano at our Wednesday night service while in 3rd grade. this was not so much a credit to my ability as it was a sign of desperation - back in the day, we Baptists didn't open the church doors without singing at least the first, second and last verse of at least 3 hymns - loudly and with gusto.
i remember telling my mom that i didn't like playing for prayer service. she sent the pastor after me. . ."Karen, you have been given a talent to play the piano. God expects you to use it for Him or He can and will take it away."

ok, i'm nine years old. i get it. "use it or lose it."

and in the midst of some huge all church work project, or missionary conference, or AWANA/Sunday School recruitment would be the litany of "burning out over rusting out". . . which can lead one to the conclusion that spirituality can be measured by busyness - especially busyness in the church.

wow! and if we don't buy into busyness = spirituality, then there is always the question of so MUCH to be done and who is going to do it if we don't???

now, if when reading this you find yourself defending your "hectic schedule for Jesus" - then you need to slow down and consider reading Mark Buchanan's "The Rest of God." we chat about this one later. . .

and, if when reading this you have no idea what i'm talking about - please go see your pastor.
do not pass "go" and do not collect $100. . . just go see him and ask him how you can help.

seriously, very few of us fall in the middle - either we are attempting too much or we are doing too little. . .