How Many Miles to Empty?
“Sometimes we spend more time talking about God and not talking to God.” I said to the pastor of a church in the greater Denver area. We were talking about the ministry of Finding Zarephath and the need for care for women in ministry who spend much of their time supporting others, but often lack resources when they themselves are struggling. The Pastor I was talking to paused and then acknowledged the truth of those words.
I have spent some time this last week thinking about that conversation. I have served as staff or volunteer in a church my entire adult life, I have always wanted to help people find the hope of Jesus, not just for salvation, but also for the here and now. God is calling us to a life of adventure with Him, there are dreams, and giftings, and plans He has for us in this life. As we move into those plans, as we see them take form, as we experience the amazing life that Jesus offers, we rightfully become passionate about helping others walk into their calling. It can be an amazing process, a fulfilling experience, introducing somebody to Jesus for the first time or helping them see where He is moving in their lives… but sometimes, maybe more often then we care to admit, we make a shift of talking more about God than to God. We pour out of our own talents, our own wisdom, our own strength and eventually the cup runs dry.
I have been studying the book of Job this week. There are a lot of well meaning people pouring out their own wisdom, their own strength, their own talents. It’s not based on nothing, these are God-fearing men who have a lifetime of knowledge and understanding and walking with God under their belt, but despite that, they never actually stop talking to each other long enough to talk to God, when God has had enough, he interrupts and corrects them.
I know that’s been me. Even as I spoke those words to the Pastor last week, I think we both felt the conviction of them, so this week, prompted by that conversation and the leadership of our Board President who committed to praying for our team, our ministry, and our country every day for a week, I picked up where she left off and continued. The time has been good, God’s in it every time, and I feel the internal shift away from the worries of this world, to the desires of God.
Like me, like the Pastor, you have your own gifts and talents and wisdom that you operate out of. That’s a gift directly from God, but this week I challenge you to make sure you are plugging into the source, that you remember to talk to God as much as you talk about him, may your cup overflow with encouragement, wisdom, and strength.
