Poured out. Tired. Worried. Worn down? Yes? Emptied. Do these describe you?
For those who are in the Lord’s work, at the end of the day you should be emptied. Perhaps, even at the end of the morning you should be empty. Maybe- just maybe- if you don’t conserve, don’t hold back, but pour out everything to the Lord in prayer you will be tired. If you are praying, giving, serving, sharing and ministering, you will quickly be drained.
I have several large planters on my front porch. When it rains I sometimes forget to water the large planters and the flowers under the covering of the roof which get droopy from the heat. When I fill up my watering can, I usually need to make several trips to refill the pot – if I want to thoroughly water all the plants in the big pots. I don’t say, “Well, the one pot drank all my water, so the other plants need to get thrown away or die.” Of course not! I take my time to make sure that every planter is being watered as much as it needs to stand up to the heat and thrive.
Most of us do not refill enough spiritually. We get so busy and forgot to let Jesus wash us with the water of the word. Remember the 5 foolish virgins who forgot their oil? We need to always have our lamps full and ready to go. Many people will drastically limit themselves in how much ministry they do, because they don’t want to get worn out. My advice to you is continue to do all the Lord calls you to, but be sure to get away with the Lord to refill and restrengthen. Just like the big pots on my porch need me to make several trips with the watering can- the bigger your ministry or the more your life is poured out to family and friends- the more trips you need to make with the watering can.
Perhaps, even the stress of the days of evil we live in are wearing away at you? Maybe you feel the weight of the heavy situation in our nation and around the world.
What do you do when you feel poured out, tired, worried, worn down, and emptied? You refill. Some people call it self-care. I call it a real relationship with Jesus. God trusts me to put myself last and to put others first. But, he has my back. He promises to take care of me.
First, of all, he is the one ministering to others through me. Secondly, he will minister to me by his Spirit. And he will minister to you.
How do you allow the Lord to fill you? Do you spend time in his presence, asking him to minister to you and to speak to you? Sometimes, I just get in bed and ask the Lord to minister to my spirit as I nap. Other times, I call a friend and ask them to pray with me. Sometimes, I have laid down for a nap, but I couldn’t sleep. Instead of being frustrated, I just relax into the blankets and ask the Lord for a blessing. I just enjoy the time to relax.
When Jesus ministered, he frequently got away to quiet and solitary places to rest and to hear from the Father.
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35
Frequently, I think of prayer and fasting as “work”. It feels like I am carrying a burden or wrestling in prayer. Honestly, it is work. But, it should also be a time of a renewal and a spiritual refill. Jesus was constantly pouring out into people when he was on earth. He healed over and over. When he did, he pulled away into the secret place to regain what he had just poured out.
I love this pure example of when Jesus was drained and he knew it!
Luke 8:42-48
“As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years,[c] but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”
46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”
47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
If Jesus feels the power drain out of him, what about us? We feel it too! Time to rest and recharge in Christ Jesus.
What are you doing to recharge from the draining effect of pouring out for the Lord in your life?
Here is my prayer list:
- Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.
- Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
- Give us this day our daily bread. Lord, I need you to fill me up and to renew my youth like the eagles. Pour into me. I happily work for you every day, Lord. I just need the power of God to breathe into the and strengthen me, in Jesus name.
- Lord, fill me with your Spirit of wisdom and revelation. I want to know you better. I pray that your Sprit will strengthen me and minister to me.
- I pray that you will open the eyes of my heart that I can serve you boldly and know you intimately.
- Give me this day my daily bread. Father God, I am trusting you with everything- including this spiritual renewal. Provide for my needs according to your riches and glory.
- Lord, you know the future. I trust you to lead me and guide me into the future.
Spend time today refilling with the Lord in his presence! I made the list short, but you can continue to pray over people and events that the Lord brings to your heart.
Pray to fill your own tank! God will happily do it!
Revealed Ministries 