The everlasting God…neither faints nor is weary. —Isaiah 40:28
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).
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Journal DJR
Good morning Lord. Exhaustion does indeed happen. Chambers points out good exhaustion and not so good exhaustion. But the prescription is to stay connected and continually stay being re filled. We will still get tired because we are human but will avoid the not so good exhaustion that leaves us useless. JD and I discussed that exhaustion can be another of the “dash board indicators” along with the “peace meter” that can indicate that things are going well… or not… and that something’s not working and something needs to change. We’ve found that what’s not working is almost always our connection with you and when that is restored… everything changes. Not necessarily the circumstances, but the “peace that passes understanding” … and if we have that…. what more could we need? With that peace we can carry on, whether the nasty circumstances change or not. Like Paul did in prison or Bonhoeffer or any of the heroes of our faith.
You understand this correctly. Now let’s talk about walking it out. Why do you find yourself exhausted and stressed out from time to time? You know the answer. Because you have lost your close connection with me. You allow distractions to enter and break our connection while others allow worry to break the connection. It doesn’t matter what it is. If you allow anything to break our connection, the dash board peace meter and exhaustion alarm will sound. Look at them as helpful indicators rather than oppressive evils. They indicate the break in our connection. So pull over and fix it. That may mean coming away for a few minutes or hours or days… or learning to connect, even while in a clamoring crowd. Today beware of distractions and worries.
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