“Gauging our spiritual and emotional resources is . . . complex. We have a tendency to ‘run on empty’ without realizing it. When running on fumes, our mood sours, our creativity evaporates, and we find it challenging to make basic decisions. If we want to love and serve faithfully over a lengthy period of time, we must become specialists at refreshing our weary spirits.”- Jeff Manion
“I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God. . . . For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”- 2 Timothy 1:6-7 (NIV)
In Day 6 (“Quitting Before the Finish Line”), Week 2 of Dream Big, Think Small Jeff Manion affirms that he loves meeting people who continue to bring energy and passion to their work. Long after they’ve burned off their initial enthusiasm.
Certainly, it’s easy to feel excited about your work when it’s new and fresh. However, it’s something else entirely to maintain that passion over the long haul. Pastor Manion explains:
“Just because we do something for a long time doesn’t mean we excel at it. In fact, as the years compound, we can grow bored, disillusioned, or cynical. The amount of time on the line can work against us, slowly jading us. Numbing us. . . . we tend to quit long before we reach the finish line. Discouraged and disillusioned, we zone out, numb out, or check out.”
Finally, Pastor Manion exhorts us to remain fully engaged, not simply endure. Consequently, the author believes, passion needs restoration from time to time. Therefore, if your fire reduces to dying embers, the apostle Paul encourages, fan into flame the gift of God. Because, Jeff adds, “the goal is not lonely longevity, but passionate faithfulness over time.”
When you pour yourself into others for an extended period, you find yourself drained. As a result, you need to know how to refill your empty tank. Hence, you can finish strong – not simply phone it in!
Today’s question: What helps you in gauging your spiritual and emotional reserves? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Rehydrating regimen – filling yourself up”
