Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV
HOPE IN CHRIST
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV
Father God, from this scripture, I see:
1. You are the author of all hope
2. Joy and peace are the result of trusting you
3. There is a “hope tank” inside of us, and it can be empty, full, or overflowing
4. The power of the Holy Spirit is what determines level of hope
5. I must fully trust God to fill me with hope
Dear child, trusting in me often means letting go of your agenda and what you think you should do, and doing what I want you to do. For example, many of my ministry leaders throughout the world do not get enough rest. They push themselves too hard, and burn out. Then they stop trusting me. That makes them less effective.
TRUST IN CHRIST
Yes, Lord, I need to trust you and trust that you are in control. I need to keep an eternal perspective, and keep my eyes heavenward. Help me to help others with this problem of burnout. Especially leaders. It is so easy for leaders to burn out, lose hope, and stop trusting in you. Or, the other way around. They stop trusting in you, then they lose hope. Which is it?
Dear child, it is like this: Unconfessed sin, leads to strained or broken relationship with me, which leads to emotional distance, which leads to a loss of intimacy with me, which leads to less trust, which leads to a decreased eternal perspective, leading to a loss of hope, which leads to burnout. It is sinful behavior to work at anything in your own strength.
Lord, you give new meaning to this scripture: 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
REST IN CHRIST
Dear child, if my people will fully trust me, then they will get the needed rest to avoid burnout. They can “rest with all their heart.” Everyone should put the same energy into rest that they put into work. Reflect on my words: “… whatever you do …”
Yes Lord, you have given us a model for resting in you:
1. Daily: A quiet time of prayer and meditation every day is essential to fully connect with Christ. It should not be seen as optional, and excuses should not be made for why it is not happening. Confess it as sin when it does not happen.
2. Weekly: Gathering together with other Christ-followers; pastors and ministry leaders work on Sundays; they need time to rest another day of the week, and should gather together amongst themselves, for support and encouragement.
3. Occasionally: Spiritual retreats, fasts, time away by ourselves. Various things that help us have some concentrated time of refreshment and renewal.
Dear child, share this with your audience: 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
Lord, thank you for this time today. And thank you for the privilege of speaking into the lives of leaders throughout the world with the teachings that you give me. I am nothing. You are everything. I must decrease. You must increase. May only you be gloried by this message of hope for those suffering from burnout or at risk of it.
Your aspiring servant,
Daniel M.
4 April 2023
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