Minute for Eternity

We all push and struggle to finish tasks and serve the Lord with vigor. But we'll sometimes find we're running on empty. But because of our faith we'll say, "Even though I'm all out of love, I'm going to keep on giving. It's the action that matters, not the feelings." Although this may be entirely right, we still eventually come to the point of being not only empty, but angry - angry at people who matter to God, maybe even angry at God Himself. People become problems to be avoided. Phone calls become intrusions. Letters, even from friends, are simply obligations to attend to. Unexpected guests are invaders. Everyone who is on the front lines of loving others knows the feeling: "I can't handle another heartache, another need, another hurt-another person. I want to run away, build a wall around myself, and become a hermit." At that point the great temptation arises to give up altogether on loving people. We'll hear ourselves say, "I used to be actively involved with others. I used to have relationships and be in ministries. But I burned out, and now I stay away from commitments to people." That is one way of handling burnout, of course. But there is a better way according to Bill Hybels in his book on "Character: What You Are When No One is Looking". It is possible to run completely out of love and then refill the tank. It is possible to love people not only sacrificially but also steadfastly. That is what God calls us to do—not to run the hundred-yard dash in loving people, but to run the marathon. In order to do that, we have to learn how to refuel ourselves when we run out of love.

Spiritual Refueling
The great men and women of the Bible all knew and practiced spiritual refueling to sustain incredible sacrificial service for the Lord. (David - 1 Samuel 30:6; Psalm 46:1; Jesus Himself - Matthew 14:23; Luke 5:15-16) Somehow we must learn to slow down, get off the treadmill, seek out solitude and encourage ourselves in God. One way to do this is through a daily time of solitude, perhaps before the events of the day rush in. Talk with the Lord and read His Word. Allow Him to regenerate your spiritual energies. Some people find spiritual refueling by listening to Christian music tapes. Some take time in their lunch break to read promises from God's Word. Other people take walks every night, worshiping God as they walk, while still others play musical instruments, read Christian books or sing choruses to the Lord.

Emotional Refueling
There are basically two ways to replenish yourself emotionally. First, is relaxation. Some people cannot accept that. They like the fast track, and if they need emotional refueling, they prefer to get it from a pill or an injection. But there is no quick solution. To fill up your emotional reserves, you need to wind down, take a break, put your feet up, take some deep breaths and hold the phone calls. Let nature take its course and restore you to your usual emotional strength. The second way to replenish yourself emotionally is recreation. Some activities seem to inspire you, to re-create your enthusiasm for life. It may be reading, writing or playing a game. It may be outdoor sports or walking the dog or working in the yard. You may have to experiment for a while to find what works best for you. When you find it, you'll know. A couple of hours of the activity, whatever it is, will refuel you emotionally and make it possible for you to go back to loving others sacrificially and steadfastly.

Physical Refueling
A lot of people these days are chronically run down physically. Most have no idea how much their physical condition undermines their attempts to love other people. They fail to realize that it takes physical energy to listen, to serve, to confront, to rebuke. Not only are physically run-down people short on energy; they also tend to be easily irritated, critical, short fused, defensive and negative. It is hard for them to love others and it is equally hard for others to love them. How does one replenish or stay physically strong? There are three answers we might be well familiar with, but we don't live as if we understand their vital importance: eating right; sufficient sleep; and consistent exercise. Many of us become careless about our diet and eat way too much sugar and fatty foods not able to sustain the level of activity we place upon ourselves. We also sleep very little or take in too much coffee or pepperoni pizza before bed to keep us awake. Beyond this, in an already busy schedule, exercise of any kind is often neglected. We say we do not have time to exercise, yet experts have medically proven that exercise replenishes the energy supply and actually decreases the need for sleep. We all have a physical fuel gauge as well as an emotional and a spiritual one, and we must not ignore the warning signs of these gauges or greater harm will result.

Action Point
Take time to measure and replenish this week following one of the guidelines above.