Serving others is exhausting. It requires love, devotion, time, and energy. Take the typical Mom who has a boy and a girl in elementary school. After packing their lunches and sending them off to school on the bus, she then gets herself ready for work. After work, she races home, freeing up the babysitter who picked up the kids at the bus-stop, and hurries off to make dinner, while at the same time, ensuring that the kids get their homework finished. Dad arrives just in time for dinner, then plays with the kids after dinner as she cleans up and does the dishes. Story time for the kids, then goodnight butterfly kisses. She then spends some time with her husband watching some TV, and off to bed, only to start it all over again in just a few short hours. How is a Mother to serve her family day after day, giving of both her time and energy with love, and yet not burn out, or have a breakdown?
Such a servant has learned the secret: Worshiping the Lord feeds the heart of the servant. This practice not only sustains her but fills her soul with life, enabling her to pour out love without depletion.
Worshiping The Lord Feeds The Heart Of The Servant
What I left out is that while driving to work, she makes it a point to worship the Lord. During her lunch hour, she takes the time to ensure that her heart is in alignment with the Holy Spirit, and again, on her way home refreshes her soul by worshiping the Lord. She sings praises, prays, or meditates on his goodness, inviting his presence into her day.
When you worship the Lord, you feed the soul, (see Matt. 11:28-30). Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” This promise reveals that worship connects you to Jesus, who restores your soul and lightens your load. Worship is not just singing or praying, but a heart posture that acknowledges God’s greatness and invites his Presence. This Mom, by worshiping throughout her day, finds the energy to serve because her soul is nourished by the Lord’s presence.
Servants Who Burnout
Servants who try to serve without being filled with his presence burn out. Even if they prolong the inevitable burnout, their effectiveness is minimal at best. I have seen this countless times, in as many ministries. Especially in those ministries that are unrecognized, like the church janitor, church bookkeeper, children’s worker, youth leader, or choir director. The greeter who smiles week after week, the usher who guides people to their seats, and the volunteer who sets up chairs before service all face the same risk if they serve without worship. The list of ministries is endless, and hopefully you are not numbered as one who is either experiencing burnout, or worse yet, has already burned out. I’ve watched faithful servants grow weary, their joy fading because they relied on their own strength instead of God’s. But there is hope for those who feel drained.
Restoration Is Easily Attainable
Don’t focus on the job at hand, but rather, focus on Jesus and begin worshiping him. The more you worship him, the more your soul is rejuvenated. When you lift your heart to Jesus, whether through song, prayer, or meditating on his word, you invite the Holy Spirit to refresh you. But let me forewarn you: do not worship as an ends to a means. In other words, do not worship in order to do the job at hand. Serving is a by-product of worship, not the focus. Place your focus on Jesus. Worship Him. Fix your eyes on his love, his power, and his promises.
As you develop within your heart a culture of worship, you will naturally produce fruit. This fruit shows up in your patience with others, your kindness in tough moments, and your strength to keep serving. Consider the story of a children’s worker who felt overwhelmed by noisy kids every Sunday. She began starting her day with worship, singing praises in her car and praying before entering the classroom. Over time, her frustration turned to joy, and the kids noticed her renewed love. Her service became a reflection of her worship.
Worship Sustains Your Ministry
Worship is the lifeline that keeps servants thriving. Think of it like water to a plant: without it, the plant wilts, but with it, the plant grows strong and bears fruit. Similarly, worship nourishes your soul, enabling you to serve with love and energy. This restoration fuels your ability to serve others without burning out.
A Call to Cultivate Worship
If you feel weary, take heart. You don’t need to strive harder or do more. Instead, pause and worship. Start your day with a song of praise, talk to the Father throughout the day. Worship shifts your focus from your burdens to God’s strength. As you cultivate this habit, your soul will overflow with joy, and your service will reflect Jesus’ love. Imagine the impact on your family, church, or community when you serve from a heart filled with worship. Your words, actions, and attitude will point others to Jesus, just as his life did. So, worship the Lord with all your heart. Let it nourish your soul and empower your service.