Burned out? Time to walk.

Is the beginning of the school year stressful, or what? If you’re involved in Cru, you have not only the normal stressors – a new schedule, moving into a new place, re-entering the world of homework and papers (ugh) – but also you’re called upon to lead a Bible study, go to Cru meetings and events, work a Cru promotion table… where does it end?! Is there any way to survive such a chaotic, busy schedule?

Yes, there is, but the way might be a little counter-intuitive. It’s not by being really talented. It’s not by sucking it up and enduring two miserable weeks only to crash in blissful inactivity for the next month. And it’s not by refusing to serve in the fear of being “burned out.” The way to survive (and I’ll take it a step further – please God) in such exhausting circumstances is to walk in the Spirit.

When it comes to doing ministry, or for that matter living life, there are two major questions we constantly face: “what am I going to do?” and “how (i.e. by whose power) am I going to do it?” If we answer these questions selfishly, we basically doom ourselves to frustration and ultimately burnout. So, the formula for failure is: trying to set our own agendas, or to carry out our plans on our own strength and ability. The alternative, “walking in the Spirit,” means that we’re continually asking God what He would have us do, and then relying on His power to carry out those plans.

What does this look like on the most practical, paint-a-vivid-picture-for-me level? Well, remember back to when you put your faith in Christ for the first time. According to Scripture, at that time the Holy Spirit – God Himself!! – entered your life forever (Romans 8:9, John 7:37-39)! So now we who believe in Christ have this incredible power source inside us; the Holy Spirit dwells in us and offers guidance, teaching, conviction of sin, and comfort, among many other blessings.

So first, we as believers need to recognize that fact and turn over our whole lives to Him. Now surely we surrendered our lives over to God when we first came to know Christ, but like I mentioned earlier, we have the tendency over time to try to take back control. So we need to come to a point of strong resolution: God, I give you all my plans, my future, my gifts, my selfish desires and submit myself to the loving guidance and help of the Holy Spirit within me.

Then second, we need to stay on guard. Once we’ve made that pivotal decision to be filled (i.e. directed and empowered) by the Spirit, we’re still going to be in a raging battle! Paul writes to the Galatians that “the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.” So every day (heck, every minute if we can manage it), we need to return to that prayer and mindset of surrender to the Spirit. As you become aware of sins in your life, confess them to Him, thank Him for His forgiveness, and ask for His power and deliverance from your struggles.

And this way of living, my friends, is what we call “walking in the Spirit.” Listen to how incredibly important this discipline is:

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience…” (Galatians 5:22)

Wow. So, if you want to overcome sin, or if you want to be energized in ministry rather than burned out, now you know God’s solution – He will overcome the sin in you, and He will give you the energy to minister. You just walk in the Spirit.

-- Jon