Stepping Stones: Be Exhausted For the Right Reason

Transformational Thought

You may be physically exhausted from “doing.” Going to work, cleaning the house, chauffeuring the kids, attending services, participating in small groups, volunteering on committees…doing stuff in the name of service. But a deeper and more dangerous form of exhaustion is the spiritual type. This type of exhaustion comes from giving, and not so much from doing.

Jesus said to Peter - "Feed My sheep," but He gave Peter nothing to feed them with. We are all called to go feed His sheep. The process of being made “broken bread” and “poured out wine” means that you will be the nourishment for other’s souls until they learn to feed on God. Before they learn to draw on the life of the Lord Jesus directly, they have to draw on it through you. This is how God uses us to minister to others. We are called to serve, but this process has the potential to deplete and exhaust us.

We shouldn’t be exhausted, rather we should feel emptied…we need not remain emptied, for we can always return to the Source of all energy to refuel. God’s Word promises you strength and power, and the Holy Spirit is the energy source that we can tap into directly for refueling in order to service others some more. We get exhausted when we try to do all these activities on our own or for our gain. When we leave God out, (forgetting to be in prayer, focus on His will, or go to Him first), exhaustion becomes our companion.

Today, ask yourself the question, “Am I exhausted for the right reasons?” Be emptied because you are giving, not because you are forgetting to refuel through the Holy Spirit, His Word, and His Armor. Remember, your supply comes from Him and His fuel pump is endless, while your own supply is shallow and runs dry quickly. You know that, so turn to Him for replenishment. Your decision, so choose well.

Prayer
Dear Father God, I am exhausted, but for the wrong reasons. I am spinning my wheels, turning in circles, making no headway. I want to experience a different form of exhaustion; I want to be emptied from furthering Your kingdom here on earth. Use me, Father, to save souls and to spiritually nourish the starving until they learn to feed directly from You. I pray this in the name of the One you sent to be our broken bread and poured out wine, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!

The Truth
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:28-29

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to Him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep."
John 21:17