This post in “coffee with the Lord” is for those deeply involved in Christian service. You’ll know what I am talking about… “running on empty!” – “weary in well doing!”
Sometimes in service for our Lord, you will have had a VERY busy day of “ministry!” … Things have happened that have produced emotional, physical and spiritual drain. The fact is, you are “bone tired”! You just feel like you need to get away for a while … no people, no pressure, no one with needs … solitude! An opportunity to refresh and replenish would be good… You need some space, OK?!! And then there is a knock at the door… or the phone rings… or someone interrupts you in the hall…
I read these words this morning in the Bible about our Lord… John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin had just been beheaded… “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said… ‘send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, ‘They do not need to go away, You give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14.13-21)
My observation over many years of serving Jesus? Sometimes the biggest miracles happen when we serve others even when we’re “bone tired!” In this instance Jesus fed over 5,000 besides women and children (10,000 – 15,000 people) on 5 loves and 2 fish with basketfuls left over. I’m not advocating foolishness – or saying you should never withdraw for rest (believe me, I’m not saying that)!! But I am saying sometimes the biggest miracles happen when we set aside our “rest agenda” for awhile and just go ahead and serve others even when we’re “bone tired”! I can tell you the stories!!