Then those who sing as well as those who play the flutes shall say, “All my springs of joy are in you.” Psalm 87:7
“Exhaustion means that our vital energies are completely worn out and spent. Spiritual exhaustion is never the result of sin, but of service. Whether or not you experience exhaustion will depend on where you get your supplies. Jesus said to Peter, “Feed My sheep,” but He gave him nothing with which to feed them (John 21:17). The process of being made broken bread and poured-out wine means that you have to be the nourishment for other people’s souls until they learn to feed on God. They must drain you completely — to the very last drop. But be careful to replenish your supply, or you will quickly be utterly exhausted. Until others learn to draw on the life of the Lord Jesus directly, they will have to draw on His life through you. You must literally be their source of supply, until they learn to take their nourishment from God. We owe it to God to be our best for His lambs and sheep, as well as for Him.
Have you delivered yourself over to exhaustion because of the way you have been serving God? If so, then renew and rekindle your desires and affections. Examine your reasons for service. Is your source based on your own understanding or is it grounded on the redemption of Jesus Christ? Continually look back to the foundation of your love and affection and remember where your Source of power lies. You have no right to complain, “O Lord, I am so exhausted.” He saved and sanctified you to exhaust you. Be exhausted for God, but remember that He is your supply. “All my springs are in you” (Psalm 87:7).”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) in My Utmost for His Highest, reading for February 9 (Grand Rapids: Discovery House and RBC Ministries, 1992). Special thanks to Randy Kipp, the mobile monk, for sharing this reading with me, and I hope you enjoy the new header photo taken on our morning walk yesterday after our recent snowstorm.
Jesus came to earth, and His body and blood were broken and poured out for us. Likewise as living sacrifices we offer up ourselves so that others may find life in God. If we empty ourselves each week through our service, that includes our paid work, our volunteering, and other efforts — all for God — then following God’s design as long as we remember our supply comes from Him, we don’t stay empty; we end up enriched.
I’ve had people ask me recently about the source of my abundant energy and resources for service? My short answer is always the same: “God.” My longer answer would be today’s post. Such truths lead people to ask themselves this question: Am I willing to take the risk that God will supply my needs if I empty myself? The paradox of the Christian faith is that you never know until you try. It requires trust.
When we calculate our giving and service by thinking that we are the ones who will sustain ourselves and we are our source of supply, three realities follow: (1) We likely feel spiritually exhausted. (2) We don’t experience abundant life. (3) We have nothing to offer others. Be exhausted for God. Avoid emptiness by remembering where your supply comes from. No other source contains springs of living water that will sustain you and all those you serve.