What is going on everyone!! So, this week, I am actually writing this from being inspired by my girlfriend. Her and I were having a conversation about being a light to people, and how that can honestly be very draining at times. On the other end of that, however, we both brought up how beautiful it is that God will fill us up for us to pour out to others. It is such a beautiful exchange. Often times, we get so stuck on how drained we are, that we can forget where our strength comes from. Jesus tells us, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). The beautiful part is that through both pouring out and being filled, we get to be in the presence of God. We get to continually be refreshed by the One who loves us so much.
Just like a car will stop moving forward if gas is not put into it, we need to ‘gas up’ with our souls. We get weary, frustrated easily, and we lack clear vision when we need to be filled. So what does it mean to be filled again? Well, when we have been giving out a lot of energy, and we have been constantly on the move, we can get tired and burnt out. When we take time to stop and delve into Scripture, and even have intimate conversation with God, we get a refueling of energy, and we get filled with vision for our everyday walk.
Our walks are a constant exchange. We give out time, energy, and consistency. It can become a burden at times for sure. Long, deep conversations drain me a good bit sometimes. The key, though, is that when I begin to feel that fatigue, I go to my secret place with the Lord, so that my strength may be restored. In that time, I really ask God to strengthen me, and that He would show me more of Himself, and that I would continually grow to look more like Jesus and His character. I firmly believe that the desire of our hearts should be to glorify God with our lives, and to depend on Him for our strength. It is indeed a beautiful exchange to be emptied so that we may be filled again with the power of God. Let that strength carry us all into the rest of the week, and may we be vigilant people who are striving to be more like Jesus.
Much Love,
Ryan W.
