Avoid burnout

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Mark 1:35 NIV

Women's Running Magazine recently published an article titled, "How To Climb Out Of A Running Rut" in which they asked the question, "If we used to run and love it but now find ourselves unable to lace up our shoes and make the time, what is happening?" What's happening, they went on to say, is that when we no longer savor the activity that was once so important to us, we have most likely experienced a case of burnout. And the best cure for burnout? Remembering why we started running in the first place and how good it made us feel - and then ditching the recording of our running stats to just enjoy the run again.

And you know, it's just as easy to experience spiritual burnout or times in our lives when the love that once burned bright for Jesus and his people turns into a flicker. When the thought of serving brings dread, hymns no longer emit joy, and we’re just not feeling close to God. While most Christians will experience this at one time or another, getting out of this rut is as easy as following the example of Jesus who regularly "very early in the morning... went off to a solitary place" where he could pray.

Did you notice Mark wrote "while it was still dark, Jesus got up" and "left the house?" He was reminding us that spending time with the Lord was our absolute first priority and required action and intentional planning on our part. Action and planning that even requires leaving our homes, if need be, to have that one-on-one time. You see, meeting with God daily my friend is the key to avoiding burnout in the first place and keeping that flame burning bright.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we run the risk of spiritual burnout when we don't put You first in our lives or daily put forth the effort to find alone time with You. Help us to seek You above everything else that our flame might never dim or die out. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

First - Lauren Daigle

https://youtu.be/RbWQV3OiRqA