Refreshment

In the Bible, this word means to restore the strength of the soul. Now what in the world does that mean? This is going to be a very difficult concept to understand, I know this because it was for me as well. So to restore the strength of the soul, you seek a “refreshment”, hopefully it’s Jesus Christ the “living water”. However, some people think you can only seek Jesus Christ through acts of worship such as singing to him, praying, or reading the Bible. Fortunately, there are a lot more than those. Due to our bodies being a temple, just by keeping our bodies healthy, we are dipping into the “Refreshment ” God provides us.

Like I said before, I struggled hard with this concept. I keep the verse “…For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45, in my mind at all times. Just recently, I realized I misinterpreted this verse. I am a giver at heart, and being a Christian we are always told to elevate others above us.

But, there is a huge disclaimer to this. If we don’t take care of our needs 1st, we won’t be taking care of others needs to the best of our ability as God intended us to. Jesus took time away from his disciples to grow himself spiritually, or even to just take a nap. See, we can’t keep denying our basic needs to help others. I know it sounds contradictory, but the verse Jesus came to serve not to be served, doesn’t just mean his purpose is to help others. It also means, he doesn’t expect anyone to help him except his father(God) so he has to make sure he does his part by meeting all his needs and trusting God’s provisions for his life. It comes with the expectation that he loves himself enough to make sure he’s stable so that he can show that same love to others. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31

Backstory to this whole realization all starts with a Highschool girl. This past week I was struggling but I didn’t realize how deep of a pit I was digging myself in. I went to bed every school day at 1AM, hardly ate, and fell asleep at least 10 times trying to study for all my tests. Sure, I spent time with God and grew myself spiritually but I still wasn’t feeling his peace. Nor, was I feeling his presence. It wasn’t until the weekend when I got a period of relaxation with my family that they notified me that my entire schedule had to change. In between all of my schooling, I was pouring into people all over social media trying to make sure they had all the Christian support they could get. The problem was, I wasn’t pouring into myself. In fact, if I didn’t realize it sooner I would be very close to a depressive state. Being a Giver, again like I said before this was difficult, I didn’t understand how I could give myself self-care and not be selfish towards the needs of others simultaneously.

Suddenly, it made sense. I remember back in my childhood, this book about filling up other’s buckets’. It was all about how if you pour kindness into someone, then they have kindness to pour into the next person. It was such a beautiful demonstration of love and I was reminded that if we are pouring into others, we need something to fill our bucket with. Going to the Bible yes God will give you that “living water”, but as a person are you truly living if you are working all the time? No. God rested on the 7th day, if he needs rest how much more do you need it?

So the point I’m getting at is, as a Christian it is vital to establish a routine of “refreshment”. We must do things that bring us peace, happiness, and simply give us a break from this chaotic life we all share. Remember Jesus said “my burden is light”. He didn’t deny that we would have burden, however he makes a contrasting statement. Burden is meant to be heavy. In this case, Jesus’ burden is light. How can it be? Well God is with us in all things, and shows his presence through all things. We must look at all this life has to offer, those beautiful trees outside that dance in the wind, that peaceful beach that you never have the time for, and even just giving yourself 30 mins in between tasks.

God’s burden is light because he gives us the resources to carry it.

He gives us the strength to endure it. The rest to overcome it. The life to see his breakthrough.

When we take care of ourselves(make sure we are healthy), we are taking care of God’s temple inside us. So that we can be absolutely committed to that one person, when they are in need.

Remember showing self-care is not selfish, it’s okay to take a break but when you’re rejuvenated don’t you dare hesitate to help God’s people. God has given you everything you need to achieve his purpose for your life, don’t abuse his provisions.

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