God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:5
One thing is very clear about our humanity—as finite beings, we all have a limited capacity. You cannot give what you don’t take in; and if you give out and don’t take in, then your life will become unsustainable. You can skip a meal, and press on working long into the night, but if you do not eat and drink, your body will soon weaken. If you continue without food and drink, eventually you will cease to function.
It is the same with the life of the soul. How will you press on in what God has called you to do when you feel that the burden placed upon you is more than you can bear? How are you going to sustain your commitment to serve the Lord when you are spent and you feel like you have nothing to give? How will you keep loving, serving, hoping, and rejoicing?
Listen to what Jesus promises: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me… ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:37-38). Did you catch the plural? Rivers!
Here’s how ministry is sustained: you keep pouring out because Christ keeps pouring in. To the degree that you come and drink, you will be filled; and to the degree that you are filled, you will be a means of bringing what you have received from Christ to a thirsty family, church, community, and world.
If you want to be more useful to others, seek more of Jesus Christ. He is an inexhaustible fountain. There is more in Christ than any of us have received. There is more grace, more peace, more love, and more joy. Don’t be content to receive so little when Christ offers so much.
Think about how much love you could give, how much peace you could bring, and how much joy you could share. Who in your life would be most affected by this?
