I am someone that always finds himself running. I get to sleep late. I wake up early, and I start moving 100mph from the bed. And with the cares of family, the pressures of money and the stress from work, the late nights and early mornings often catch me midday. I find myself crashing, needing something to give me a boost. Usually, I reach for something leftover in my lunchbox, like some applesauce or pudding. Sometimes I’ll run into the store for a package of raisins. I need something to pick me up and give me some energy.
Today was one of those days when I felt like I needed a little boost in my body. I am tired, and I needed a little jolt to keep me running till I could hit the bed. That was a Starbucks coffee tonight! I think we need a little jolt in the spirit every now and then, too. Sometimes, we let ourselves wear thin and tire out. We get into a rut, and need something to kick ourselves in the pants and start us moving again.
God knows just how to keep us going. It may come in a church service. It may happen in the prayer closet. It may come in the form of witnessing. It may happen when you decide to take a step of faith and stir up that gift God’s given you.
For me, it usually happens when I decide to step out and bless someone, either by witnessing, or somehow meeting a need in their lives. God designed us Christians to be out-reachers, that is, to get beyond ourselves and look to the needs of others. When we do that, we are flowing in the Spirit and heart of Jesus.
Food is the fuel for the human body. So it’s interesting to read in John 4 something that the Lord said to his disciples. He had been ministering to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well when the 12 returned from town. They went to buy some food, and came back to get Jesus to eat some. He said this to them:
But He assured them, I have food (nourishment) to eat of which you know nothing and have no idea. So the disciples said one to another, Has someone brought Him something to eat? Jesus said to them, My food (nourishment) is to do the will (pleasure) of Him Who sent Me and to accomplish and completely finish His work. John 4:32-34
Jesus was of course telling them that he had just eaten spiritually. He gained strength from the ministry he had just done. Like the Lord, we find strength and joy in reaching out and blessing people. Remember, the Lord did tell us that it is more blessed to give than to receive. We’re great at getting, but it’s usually much tougher when it comes time to give. It costs us something. Maybe time, maybe money. But it will cost us something. But hallelujah, the Word of God is still true! When we give, God gives back, and like the Lord Jesus, we come away from ministry full from the spiritual meal he fed us via reaching to others.
So look for the opportunities this week to eat. Reach out and touch someone. You’ll find that it is food for your soul that will fuel your spirit and drive you deeper in your life with God.
God bless!
