A Well that is Dry
It's hard (perhaps impossible) to give something that you don't have in the first place.
Almost 15 years ago, I was a young pastor in my second year of ministry serving at a local church. One day, I was chatting with one of the other pastors who had been serving God for a while. He shared with me a little bit about his struggling spiritual condition at the time. It's an encounter that I remember very well to this day because it made such an impact on me. He told me that he felt like a "well" (something to draw water from) that was completely dry and empty. And because his well was empty, he didn't have much left to give to others in the way of service and ministry. I really didn't know what to say to him at the time. I was so new to ministry. Here was an older pastor sharing with me his struggles with his walk with Christ. I don't remember what I said or did. I probably encouraged him as best as I could at the time. But I remember thinking to myself that if his struggling spiritual condition continued, he would not be in ministry for very long. True enough, he transitioned out of pastoral ministry not long after.
I remember this story well because it haunts me as a pastor who has been serving God for over 16 years. It serves as a regular reminder to myself that if I don't take care of my own spiritual "well," I will not have much to give to others in the way of service and ministry. Serving others, especially in pastoral ministry, takes a lot out of a person. You're journeying with people through their joys and challenges in life. You're providing spiritual encouragement and guidance. You're teaching people God's holy Word. You're overseeing the functional health of a community. You're training and supporting volunteers. You're having to correct and discipline people at times. These can be heavy burdens to bear. It is work that is considered both a privilege and a responsibility. And pastors can't take this kind of work and responsibility lightly.
But can I really give to others if my own spiritual "well" is dry and empty? It's hard (perhaps impossible) to give something that you don't have in the first place. That's why it's so important for pastors and Christian leaders to take care of their spiritual lives first. We must meet with the Lord in prayer. We must consume Scripture for ourselves. We must worship God with our hearts. We must spend time in spiritual reflection and contemplation. We must fill our own spiritual wells with refreshing spiritual water. We can then genuinely and authentically teach others to do the same. Let our own spiritual wells be full and overflowing so that we will have something refreshing to offer others in their times of need. May we not let our own spiritual wells run dry at any time in our service and ministry for the Lord.
Barnabas the Monastic
Servant of Christ. Husband. Dad. Modern Monastic. I have a wild ambition in life: get as close to the Lord Jesus Christ as I can while on earth. I explore and integrate ancient Christian monk wisdom in modern everyday life. Lives in Canada.
