From Overflowing to Empty

When we start to serve Christ, we sometimes feel the want to do all the things for the Kingdom of God. Serving, encouraging others, and devoting our time to help in any way that we can are just a few examples. We want to share the love that God gave us with the world. The bible even tells us to share the good news with others.

¹⁵ He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Mark 16:15

In our haste to do good, we become tired, overwhelmed, or apathetic. Most, if not all, humans need help in some way, shape, or form. There is an endless list of people in each person’s life that may need something that you can give. Whether they need an encouraging word, some of your time, or something you have, we are called to help others.

We are human too.

However, there is a disclaimer that needs to be said about helping others. Helping takes energy, faith, and love. All things were given to us through God but not all at once in an endless supply when we became followers of Christ. No, that would be too easy and then we would not need God as much as we should. We must rest, ask for encouragement, and spend that much needed time with God.

Rest

We need rest so we can continue helping people. The bible verse that clearly marks out that we need rest is Exodus 20:8-11 and provides us a place to rest in Psalm 91:1-2. If God found a moment to rest, I am sure He will provide us a moment to rest too.

⁸ “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. ⁹ Six days you shall labor and do all your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. ¹¹ For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Exodus 20:8-11

¹ Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  ² I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalm 91:1-2

Find Encouragement

When we continuously provide encouragement to others, we also need encouragement for ourselves. Seek out other Christ followers and ask for encouragement. We are told to encourage others in 1 Thessalonians 5:11.

11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Time With God

There are two bible verses that speak about praying alone to God. In Mark 6:46, we see that Jesus, after feeding the five thousand people and sending his disciples across the lake, went alone to pray. In Matthew 6:6, we see God telling us to pray in secret. Not to pray so the world sees, but so we can pray and be ourselves to just Him.

⁴⁶ After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

Mark 6:46

6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:6

Find Your Balance

Devoting time to do things for the Kingdom of God may seem different than you expected it to. It does not only include helping at church or encouraging other people so consider that before adding a bunch of new tasks to your weekly agenda. Serving your family, encouraging your coworkers, or working to provide for your loved ones are also actions that God expects of us. Some of these actions may be things that you are already doing before you started serving God. Do good but also find rest. After you rested, you can go back to doing good. It will be okay.

As always: God loves you, I love you, and I will be praying for you. Have a blessed week!