“You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” Psalm 16:11
One day while flying home, I shared the Four Spiritual Laws with a young businessman who was sitting beside me. He told me that he was a Buddhist and began to ask me questions like, “Have you found happiness?” and, “When do you experience the deepest happiness?” With deep conviction I told him that I had found happiness and experienced the deepest satisfaction and joy during the time I spent alone with God.
Spending time with God gives us the opportunity to experience God’s love permeating through every cell in our bodies. When we sit or walk alone with Him, away from distractions, He ministers to us. And our hearts can, and do, respond with love for Him. If we don’t take time to allow God to minister to us, our Christianity becomes legalistic or shallow. Our ministry becomes a drag — a duty we come to resent.
I talked to a woman a few years ago who was having a tremendous ministry but wasn’t happy. She seemed to be driven and wasn’t resting in the Lord. Although she was getting up in the middle of the night to intercede for her disciples, she was not taking the time to allow God to fill her inner needs. Not long after our time together, she decided to leave the ministry.
I believe the reason some people burn out and leave full-time ministry is simply because they are not taking enough time to relax and enjoy the Lord. They have forgotten that God loves them and that they have been created to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever. Are you taking the time to experience God’s love in your life?
O God, show us how to enjoy You. Cause us to believe that You delight in our fellowship and desire to give us rest. Amen.
by Katherine Kehler
used by permission
FURTHER READING
It’s not Fair!– Do we pout?
Overwhelmed by Negative Feelings?
Suffering – Spiritual principles to meditate on during hard times
Fear, Faith and Migraines by Dr. Muriel Larson
Why Me Lord? Why Not? A different perspective on being shunned or mistreated.