Are You Burdened?
Numbers 4:31
"And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and sockets thereof,"
When God appointed men to work in the tabernacle of the congregation, He charged them with a burden. It is interesting that when talking about their tasks God says, "And this is the charge of their burden,..." Yes, God was saying that this would be the load that they must carry, but He was saying more than that. God was saying that the tasks that these men were supposed to carry out should be their burden or focus of their heart. God knew these men made their tasks the focus of their heart that they would give their best effort in what they did.
Everything you do in life you should do for God. Whether what you do is for the church, family or career, it should all be done for God's glory. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." God does not divide tasks in your life and say that some are important and others are not. God says that everything you do should be done for the LORD. If you want to be successful in what you do for the LORD, then everything you do should become your burden.
When something is a burden, it will consume you. Your thought life will constantly think about whatever you're doing. A burden will cause you to give your best effort. Whenever you are doing what you are burdened about, you find yourself doing your best because you are burdened for it. A burden will motivate you to keep going. One of the biggest reasons people quit their tasks is because they are not burdened for what they are doing. A burden will also cause you to sacrifice. You will find that when you are burdened for something, you are more willing to give up things for it. You will find that sacrificing pleasure is not that difficult when you are burdened for something. This is why God called these tasks a burden, for He wants you to make everything you do for Him your burden.
Let me ask you, are you burdened for your responsibilities at your church? Too many Christians give a second-rate effort when it comes to the work of the LORD. You should let your responsibilities in the church consume your mind and efforts. No, this doesn't mean that you should not give time to your family, but what it does mean is that you should share this burden with your family. When your whole family is burdened for the same task, you will find it is easier to keep close to every family member.
Let me ask you, are you burdened for your family? Every person should be burdened about their family serving God. Your family's effort in serving the LORD should consume your thoughts. You should constantly think about how you and your family can serve the LORD together.
Furthermore, are you burdened for the career God has given you? You must realize that God has given you the career you have, and because of this you should give your best effort towards it. You should strive to be the best in your field. You should strive to improve in what you are doing. If you are burdened for your career, then you will find these things are not difficult.
Finally, are you burdened for the souls of men? Every Christian should be a soul winner. The eternity of people should consume your passions. Knowing that you have the responsibility to get the Gospel to people should motivate you to witness to everyone you see.
Yes, you need a burden. You need to be burdened for everything you do in life. When you become burdened for all that you do, you will find that your life will have purpose.