You had it when you first started out in ministry. Possibly fresh out of college and overflowing with ideas, you forged ahead with gusto. You felt sure that any day people would begin getting saved and that all of the believers you knew would rally around you to further the cause of Christ.

But they didn’t.

Still you moved forward- trying this, trying that. Doing things because they needed to be done, because there was no one else to do it.

But even fully charged batteries run out of juice.  Gas tanks empty regularly, and even the Energizer Bunny has to stop and raid a carrot field.

The physical tiredness shows up first, wearying the bones and slowing the pace, but dragging the soul along. Must keep going.

And then it happens- gradually, but unmistakably:

Your soul energy is gone.

This is what your ministry may be missing- soul energy. Last week we chatted about what to do.  And today we’re taking it a step farther to talk about how to do it. Because…you can be faithful but not be filled with the spirit. You can minister in the flesh. Furthermore, you can be the most tired, hurt, and perceptively misused ‘faithful’ leader that your church has ever seen. You can be a ministry martyr, convincing people that you have the hardest trials, that you have the busiest schedule, that you are the most tired out, and that they couldn’t possibly understand what it’s like.

The truth is this: We all have busy, tired, and sometimes misunderstood lives. We all have times when it’s hard to put one foot in front of the other, when it’s hard to smile and pray with each other, when it’s hard to be social, when it’s hard to sing.

But it doesn’t stay hard when you have soul energy.

So where does this energy come from, and is it possible to have soul energy while being physically exhausted?

This is my favourite part to talk about, because soul energy comes from our amazing, loving God! It is a gift of grace that He bestows on the believer who submits to His Spirit.  It’s His reward for our obedience. This gift is not limited to the physical state of your body, and it’s definitely not dependent on your circumstances {amen?!}  Many of you know that I struggle with some ongoing physical limitations as a result of my pregnancies. They are things that are manageable, but that will probably never go away. In some ways, these things are my thorn in the flesh. They keep me depending on God for strength and the ability to minister. Some days I’m not sure if I’m strong enough to sing or play the piano or set up for an event or organize a funeral. And some days I’m plain tired out, just like you.

But as I depend on God for strength, acknowledging that I am helpless without His enabling, a wonderful thing happens. He infuses me with strength- that soul energy starts coming back, and often He strengthens me physically as well. It feels amazing to walk away from a service knowing that the God of the universe gave me a taste of His power! It is rejuvenating to see the difference in my own heart, and to experience the joy of ministry. Still tired? Oh yes, and sometimes more exhausted than ever when the service/event is over. Sometimes it takes a few days or even weeks to get back on track physically. But spiritually and emotionally? I am charged with soul energy that only my powerful Father can give me.

Dear friend, is your ministry missing soul energy lately?  Have you found yourself going through the motions but lacking vigor? Ask God to give you this gift of grace- it will do wonders for your weary heart!

Let’s Chat: Do you know the difference between ministering with and without soul energy? How do you see/have you seen God enabling you with His power?

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