You.

My own vineyard I have neglected song of Solomon one verse six life gets busy. You know it, and so do I. We all are often consumed by the chores of the day and by agendas forced upon us by work or family or friends. We are all guilty, at times at least, of expending ourselves on everything and everyone else but our own interests, health, needs and holiness. It's ironic that in an otherwise self centered world, we are often guilty of putting our own souls, marriages and families last on our list of priorities, tending to important things, to be sure, but neglecting the most important things, like family time and the time needed to develop our relationship with the Lord. Not many years ago, the state of California suffered horrible drought conditions. Months went past without any rainfall. Things were so dry and dusty that the state color could have been brown. In order to provide water for California's agricultural needs, new wells had to be dug and water from the state's reservoirs had to be diverted for irrigation. The water levels in the state's lakes, rivers and reservoirs shrank to all time lows. The state's reservoirs depend on rainfall and melting snow runoff from the Sierra mountains. When rain and runoff are minimal, more water flows out of the reservoirs than flows into them. This slowly drains the life from the reservoirs. A body of water will dry up and die if it only gives but never receives. A reservoir can remain viable only if it is replenished and nourished itself. The same is true of our bodies, our minds and our souls. If we get so busy giving and doing everything for everyone else while neglecting to give proper nourishment and attention to ourselves, we will, like California's drought laden lakes and reservoirs, dry up and die. God doesn't want us to be selfish or self centered. Of course, Jesus himself said that he did not come to earth to be served, but to serve. We are made to serve others. But we must not neglect our own need for nourishment and care. We need to find the proper balance between meeting the needs and demands of others and the needs and demands of our own bodies, minds and souls. We must tend to our own vineyard as well as the vineyards of others.

This has been your thought for the day with Steve Burkham, pastor of Community Christian Church in Stockton, California. If you have questions or comments for Pastor Steve, please send them to [email protected] have a great day, and we hope you'll join us tomorrow as Pastor Steve opens God's word to bring us another thought for the day.