SURREY, British Columbia (AP)
The Mounties got their men. They had trouble getting a sandwich.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Constable Ed Boettcher and his partner decidedto take a sandwich break while on surveillance duty in an unmarked car.

At the restaurant, they checked the license plate on a car parked at a nearbypawnshop and found the car had been reported stolen. They followed it andarrested the driver and passenger.

They went back to the sandwich shop, only to find a well-known car thiefgetting out of a pickup truck. Sure enough, a check of the license showed thetruck had been stolen and they arrested the driver.

On his third try, Boettcher finally got inside the sandwich shop, but hispartner looked out the window and noticed two men carrying golf bags into thepawn shop. It turned out their car was also stolen and they were eventuallyarrested as well.

Sometimes you just can't get a break, can you?

We all suffer from burnout periodically.  There are days (weeks, months) when waves of responsibility come crashing one after another. It never let's up.  It could be the kids, the job, church or just life in general.  Even your sleep is disturbed and you dread the morning light, knowing the day will bring more demands.

We hear from many people who feel guilty for being overwhelmed. Fatigue is nothing to be ashamed of and you have no reason to feel guilty.

The weary beat themselves up with this scripture.

2 Thessalonians 3:13
But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

People who feel overwhelmed are not weary in "well-doing". Doing good has nothing to do with their fatigue. The volume of work and level of aggravation is responsible. Everyone needs rest. Everyone has a right to take a break. Even Jesus went to the wilderness for a breather now and then.

The Lord knows what we are going through. He is always there to take care of us.

Many of us can recite the 23rd Psalm. How many of us take it to heart? Let's look closely at what is really being said.

Psalms 23:1-6

Verse 1
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

God has something planned for you and He will always take care of you! Remember, He is the shepherd. He is YOUR shepherd. A shepherd always cares for his flock. A shepherd is the one responsible for feeding and protecting the flock. He gives himself wholly to the well-being of the flock. The sheep are the reason the shepherd exists. Without them, he would not be a shepherd, now would he? Notice the importance of the relationship.

Verse 2
(a) He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
(b) He leadeth me beside the still waters.

(a) Notice the verbiage here. He "maketh" me to lie down...
Are you one of those who cannot lie down because of pressing responsibilities? There may come a time when you have no choice but to lie down. God will make you take a break. God has prepared green pastures for you, but that's not all...

(b) He will quietly lead you beside still waters. Remember this when the waves come crashing in. God leads us into peace. When you cannot find peace, God will lead the way. Follow Him.

Verse 3
(a) He restoreth my soul:
(b) He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

(a) Even Christians are in need of restoration. When your soul is weary, God will be there to restore you to peace and rest. Remember the green pastures and still waters. They are an integral part of the restoration process.

(b) God has a reputation. He maintains His reputation through his works and His people. You are instrumental in letting others know about God. How? He will lead you in the paths of righteousness. When Christians walk in the paths of righteousness, others see it. God is lifted up. His name is glorified. If you are broken down and weary, it is difficult to be a shining testimony to His goodness and mercy. God will bring you to green pastures so you can be fed. He will lead you beside still waters so you will find peace. He will restore your soul and then lead you in the paths of righteousness. Notice the order of things? What reputation does God have when others look at your life?

Verse 4
(a) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
(b) I will fear no evil:
(c) for thou art with me;
(d) thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

(a) There are those who believe Christians always live in a happy land of milk and honey. This passage shows that there may be times we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. We are not hurled into it. Life does not drag us through it. We walk through it. There is effort on our part. There is also positive forward motion. That's why the word "through" is used.

(b) This portion of scriptures says we will fear no evil whatsoever. No matter where we are, there is nothing to fear. Perfect love casts out all fear.

(c) If you ever walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you do not walk alone. There is nothing to fear because God is with us no matter where we are and no matter what things look like. He is the same God in the valley as He is on the mountain top. He is the same God in the night as He is in the day.

(d) The shepherd uses his staff to protect the flock. Not even a wolf can get by a shepherd who knows how to wield a staff. The sheep are at peace. They do not have to worry because the shepherd has everything under control.

Verse 5
A) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
B) thou anointest my head with oil;
C) my cup runneth over.

In this verse, God shows us how special we are. (A) He prepares a table right in front of our enemies and shows them He is taking care of us. (B) He anoints our head with oil to show them just how special we are. (C) Our cup is overflowing. This shows our enemies that we will never want for anything.

Not only does God show us how precious we are to Him, he flaunts it in our enemies' face. He wants everyone to know we are a royal priesthood. Halleluiah!

Verse 6
(a) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
(b) and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

(a) The word "follow" literally means, "pursue". God's goodness and mercy will pursue us for as long as we live. There is no way you can get away from God's love.

(b) We will not only dwell with God, we will dwell in His house forever. Look carefully at these words. We will love in God's house! We are family! Remember when Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for us? The verse begins, "In my Father's house are many mansions..." Did you catch that before? The mansions are in the Father's house. That is where we will dwell forever. Ponder the word 'forever'. That means for eternity. You have a place for all of eternity. Goodness and mercy will pursue you and you will always have a home with God.

If you are weary or burned out. Take time to lie down in His green pastures. Remember the still waters. In addition to peace, God wants you to find rest.

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