Dry and Parched

Dear DW,

I am spent and used up.  I don’t think I have anything else to give these people.  They have taken all that I have and then some.  I’m worn out and I’m not sure how to recover from this.  I love serving in ministry with my spouse, but this church and it’s people have been such a struggle that I just want to go home, lock the door, and never come out again.  But then, on the other hand, I know that they desperately need the Jesus we have to offer them.  I just don’t know where I am going to find the strength to give them what they need.

Dry and Parched

 

Dear Dry and Parched,

You have arrived!  Now, you are in the perfect place to do REAL ministry.  YOU are empty.  YOU don’t have any more to give.  YOU can’t do it anymore.  Now, GOD can work in you and through you to accomplish His work.  There’s nothing left of You to get in the way of His Will, His Love, and His ability to meet the needs of this stubborn and contentious people.  God says: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”                   2 Corinthians 12:9

God’s given you a blessing by letting these people wear you out.  It’s only in our ultimate weakness that God’s power is perfected in us.  He wants to give you the strength to finish this task.  I can hear in your words that even though you want to hide, you still are seeking the strength to love and lead in this ministry.   I only know one place to go when I’m at my end.  Words that I have shared with others a million times take on new meaning when I don’t have anything left in me to give.  Go to God’s Word.  Drink deeply from His well.  It never runs dry and you will be refreshed.  I’ve listed some familiar verses below for you to start meditating on today.

Also, don’t try to bear this burden alone.  Seek out safe places to be real about the struggles you are facing.  You need people who can pray you through this rough time in ministry.  Your spouse needs to be one of them, but be careful that you don’t use your spouse as your only source of encouragement.  Go to your support system.  And if you don’t have one, now is a great time to start seeking one out.

God’s ready to unleash his power on you, through you, and to His people for His name’s sake.  He chose you for this task and He will accomplish it.  Thank goodness it’s not up to us!  .You can do this because God can do this.  And when His power is released, there is no complaining woman, power-hungry deacon, whiney teenager, fussy old lady, or exhausting senior pastor that can stand in His way!

 Love,

DW~

 

Isaiah 40:31 Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

Matthew 11:28-29 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.

Galatians 6:9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.  So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

Psalm 23:1-3 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.  He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.