Don’t Burn Out…Just Burn

I was directed to Galatians 6 today by a Tweet!  I guess you could say “a little bird” told me to go there.  As I did, reading the familiar passage, it occurred to me that this had some meaning for all of us in ministry (big “M” and little “m” if you think of it that way).  Why do we get burned out in serving?  Over the years I have heard various teaching on this and many say that if we are operating in the Spirit, we won’t experience burn out.  That probably sums it up pretty well.  Galatians 6:6-10 gives us some insight to this truth.

6 One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For
the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption,
but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal
life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

1. Accept the blessings of those to whom you minister. In whatever form it may come to you, know that it is God’s way of saying “well done.”  I know that all forms of “sharing” may not be from God, but generally, when someone gives to you because you’ve ministered to them, they are letting you know that God has blessed them through you.  Let them do it.
2. Be aware of where you are planting your ministry seed. Why do you do what you do?  Are you wanting the praise of men?  Are you wanting to make a name for yourself?  Are you trying to impress God, your fellow Christ-followers, yourself?  If we serve for any other reason but to share the love of Christ and see His kingdom come, we are sowing to the flesh.  The result will be corruption, not eternal life.
3. Let God bring the harvest. We have to realize that the harvest isn’t produced by us.  We don’t save souls.  We don’t change lives.  We don’t draw people to the Father.  We are only one conduit through which God works.  We must lay down the responsibility that belongs to God and let Him bring the harvest when He decides to do so.
4. Look for the God-given opportunities that come your way. Henry Blackaby reminded us years ago in Experiencing God that God is always at work and He invites us to join Him where He is working.  That means we must be sensitive to the leadership of the Spirit to know when He is providing an opportunity for ministry.  Whether it is the process of casting vision for a church or ministry, or discernment for talking to the person behind us in line at Starbucks, we must be able to hear the voice of God showing us the opportunities He is providing.

If I can learn to operate in these truths, I won’t have to worry about burning out.  Instead, I will just burn brightly.  As John Wesley once said, “I just light myself on fire and people come to watch me burn.”  Lord, help me burn brightly so that others will see the light and glorify YOU.

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