Spiritually Burnt Out - From Blazin' To Burnt Out!

Sound familiar? Ever been there? Picture it, you were blazing like the hottest fire ever ignited-full of passion and zeal for God and His plan for your life. Then, over time something happened, and now you’re no more than a melted candle, on its way to flickering out and waxing cold…Looks like a case of “SPIRTUAL BURNOUT!”

Could it possibly happen? Yep! So many Christians now days are finding themselves in this condition. Lately, the Lord has been dealing with me concerning this issue and its effect on those in the Body of Christ who are leaders and ministers-especially those of us who are in leadership roles in the Holy Hip Hop Community….So….

WHAT EXACTLY IS BURNOUT?

Well, its not a new term…in fact, the secular world has used it to describe one who is physically and emotionally exhausted. I heard a very powerful definition that takes the term a little deeper. Dr. Herbert Freudenberger describes Burnout as:

How many Christians and ministry leaders do you know and have seen nearly run themselves “ragged” solely out of duty, obligation and appearance for their church; their ministries; their church leaders; their congregations-thinking it would bring them the deep satisfaction to their souls-like water to a dry desert-only to find themselves broken, wounded, hurt, depleted, angry and some even off the frontlines of ministry all together, uninterested in the Kingdom life. Believe me, this isn’t something that happens overnight-it’s a gradual process that can creep in on any of us. Let’s look at how it can happen.

Even though we are leaders and ministers called to a particular assignment by God, it can be very easy to forget that we are STILL CHRISTIANS! The highest call of the believer in Christ is to LOVE the Father and bring Him Glory.

Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
- Matthew 22:37

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
- Revelation 4:11

We can get so duty bound and think our acceptance of God is based from that duty. Remember the story of the Prodigal Son? (St. Luke 15: 11-32) When the prodigal Son came back home; his brother had beef not only with his brother, but also with his own father.

“Look! For so many years I have been SERVING you, and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a kid, that I might be merry with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with harlots, you killed the fattened calf for him.”
- Luke 15:29,30

The brother forgot who he was and had a distorted view of the situation…everything the father had was his…his father loved him and accepted him, because he was HIS SON, NOT because of what the son did around the house…He forgot that his home was based in love-as his prodigal brother found out.

“Abide in me and I will abide in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must abide in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in me…Apart from me, YOU CAN DO NOTHING.”
- St John 15: 4-5

Unfortunately many Christian leaders in their pursuit of doing great things in ministry,
get caught in the whirlwind of activity. They soon believe that their “anointing”; gifts and talents will bring them a sense of satisfaction. They’re so caught up, they can’t leave the scene for one minute…they don’t wanna miss all the action…AND adulation. Contrary to popular opinion, leaders and ministers are NOT to live off their “anointing”; gifts or talents, but off their relationship with God. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not implying that there’s no satisfaction in serving God- not at all-I’m just saying you cannot substitute it in the place of a life of abiding in Christ. In fact, TRUE ministry flows out of an intimate relationship with God. The moment this stops, you move from a lifestyle of genuine intimacy to a life of religious imitation-your life and ministry becomes a façade.

You will definitely head toward burnout when your life becomes one of pleasing men
all the time. People can wear you out…can I get a AMEN? Some of the churches took the Apostle Paul through some serious changes, and though he loved them…he let them know what the real deal was…

“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
- Galatians 1:10

Most believers and ministers continue on in this condition, thinking that things will magically change…others just give up on it all and continue drifting, totally burned out, bearing no fruit. But I believe there is hope for the burned out warrior in reigniting his/her heart to blaze again.

To be a Christian and a leader called by God, as a vessel of honor is an awesome privilege and responsibility. It definitely comes with trials and hardships, but the call is sweetened by the grace and Spirit of God working with and in us…it should be a joy and delight to us…I pray we walk in it full of holy passion and BLAZIN’ with HOLY FIRE for the Glory of God!!