Do you ever get kind of burned out and spiritually dry? Does your enthusiasm for the work ever wane? If you are new to the ministry, this probably hasn’t happened yet, but it may become an issue later in your ministry. I would like to share with you some observations about a potential cause of tiredness in the ministry and some approaches for dealing with it.
Some time into my second pastorate, I decided to take a vacation, as I was tired emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I wasn’t too big on taking time off, because, as a single pastor, the prospect of spending a week somewhere by myself wasn’t appealing, I found my value in being busy, and small churches aren’t known for paying enough to allow one to do a lot of travelling…but I was tired. So, I went down to Aransas Pass and Mustang Island for a couple of days, then I went to Enchanted Rock to camp for a couple of days. Sitting on the back side of one of the big hills there, I asked the Lord what was going on with me and why I was so tired. He revealed that I had gotten in the habit of resting from Him instead of resting in Him. You see, God was my job, so I had started leaving God at the office so-to-speak. It wasn’t a matter of taking up some sinful diversion or un-Godly pastime – I just set my thinking about God aside when I left the office to avoid burnout, and it didn’t work. Have you ever gotten to that point?
As important as it is to take breaks and have devotional time in the Bible in addition to sermon study, I am addressing something deeper – a basic mental, spiritual, and emotional approach toward the Lord. Let me mention some things I believe can lead to “unplugging” from the Lord instead of resting in Him:
Unlike Christians who work in secular professions and come to church a couple of times a week, the church is our workplace. I trust this holds true for those in the ministry education setting as well, where focusing on church-related issues is the daily work.
The church situation is stressful and God is connected to that, so we unplug from thinking about God when we need to stop dwelling on church issues.
We forget that serving God and being with God are two different things.
We lose the sense of mystery about the ministry as the mechanics of the work make it more of a job than a passion and calling.
One helpful verse is Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (NASB). I am not suggesting we do nothing but think about Jesus or that we don’t engage in diversions, hobbies, etc. I am suggesting the following:
Cultivate self-awareness so you know if the Lord and the work are becoming equated in your mind and heart.
Practice living in an awareness of the Lord, worship of the Lord, and sensitivity to Him as your Companion and Source, not simply the One for whom you work.
Take breaks and practice spiritual disciplines in order to connect with Him at times other than when you seek Him for guidance relative to your ministry tasks.
Has working in a ministry setting ever dampened your walk with the Lord? Have you ever found yourself equating the Lord with the job and distancing yourself from Him in order to take a break from church work or other ministry?
What are some ways you cultivate freshness in your relationship with the Lord and stamina for ministry?