What Is the Type of Grace That Can Run Out?
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A few years back, my wife and I were attending and serving in a church that was 75 miles from our home; that was one way. We had originally started going there when we lived closer to the church. When we decided to move further away, we kept going because that was our church. We were both serving in ministry, and we enjoyed being there. Sometimes in a typical week we might go to the church on a Wednesday night for prayer meeting, or if not on Wednesday we would go to the church on a Thursday night for worship team rehearsal. There were times, especially on the weekend, when we would stay over at my mom’s house and sleep on an air mattress so we could be there and not have to make the 75-mile drive back home just to turn around and do it the next day.
2. No Passion
What is closely associated with joy is passion. Our passion is simply the thing we love to do, and generally when we are moving in our passions, we will find a measure of fulfillment in them. Most certainly we will find enjoyment in them. However, it is possible to be doing something you are passionate about, and at the same time no longer find any joy in it. This is what was happening to us. If you find yourself in this position, it is time to consider that maybe the grace to continue has run out.
3. No Satisfaction
The other beautiful thing about God’s grace to serve is that he allows you to find satisfaction in what you are doing. For many, the satisfaction comes from knowing what you are doing matters in some way. What happens when what you are doing still matters, but you are no longer finding satisfaction in it? It is possible the grace God had previously given you is no longer present.
4. No Energy
When the grace to serve in a certain area has gone, you will often discover your drive, desire, and motivation to serve in that capacity goes right along with it. You will find it increasingly difficult to serve or give yourself to the work like you had before. Again, this could simply mean that God is trying to move you and he takes the grace away to make it evident to you.
If you feel you are currently in this situation, I want you to do two things: pray and wait.
You should pray to see if indeed this is a situation where God is looking to move you, and you should wait for a moment to discover if this is a temporary thing or a permanent thing. If it is related to ministry, it may require you stepping away for a short time to hear or know what God is saying. This is a little bit more difficult in a work setting, but you can still pray and wait.
When you are away one of two things will happen. It will either be that absence will make the heart grow fonder, or it will be out of sight, out of mind. Your response in this situation will be a big indicator of whether the grace to keep serving is still present. If you should discover that the grace is no longer there to keep serving, then stop serving. I know that is often difficult, especially when you wonder who will take over for you. But there is one last thing you must remember which we did not. If God is leading you out, he will lead someone else in. The work ultimately is his responsibility, and he will make sure that his work gets done. So follow his leading and allow his grace to bring you to the next place that he wants you to go.
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