What Refuels You?

Seasons get long. Our bodies get tired. Our minds get worn down.

It’s inevitable. Eventually, we will hit a lull in our workouts, a plateau we can’t seem to get past.

The grind of game time gets us weary when we’re smack dab in the middle of a season with still a ways to go.

Add on top of that, our home lives, homework and the expectations of others can all seem to mount at the same time. It can feel like too much, making us want to burrow under the blankets and take our time getting out of bed.

We need replenishment. True replenishment.

Not just a quick fix like a Netflix binge, but something deeper, lasting. We are in desperate need of slowing down and replenishing our weary souls with the deep and quenching waters of Jesus Christ.

And Jesus knows this. He’s known it from the beginning, as He knows it now. He offers grace to us in abundance, where we drink living water that does not stop flowing.

“On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. The one who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.’”  –John 7:37-38

In this story, Jesus had arrived during the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, where crowds have swelled to their peak and the people packed into Jerusalem to remember God’s provision in the wilderness and to look ahead to the coming of the promised Messiah. He began teaching in the temple and engaging with the Pharisees and religious leaders. This was a heated moment, as more and more people were gathering to hear what Jesus had to say. Looking around, Jesus saw how weary they were, tired from the pilgrimage journey and laboring under the law. He knew what the people needed. And He offered it to them eagerly, urgently. He offered them Himself through the metaphor of streams of living water.

We all thirst. And we all find ways to quench it—although some ways are holier than others. Underneath our disguise is an earnest need for what only Jesus can give. For true replenishment, you need to let Jesus:

Nourish You

If you haven’t put your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, or if you’ve filled up your heart with the things of this world and Jesus is asking for His space back, take a moment to confess where you have fallen short and placed other things as more important. Recognize that Jesus has taken on the sin and shame that was yours and given you eternal life with God the Father through His death and resurrection. Surrender to His love and invite Him to be Lord of your life.

“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” –Romans 10:13

Sustain You

Jesus wants to be in your everyday life. He wants you to know Him just as much as He knows you. Carve out times of quiet with Him, where you can prepare your heart in praise and be open to hear what God may want to share with you. Read the Bible; this is where He reveals Himself the most and where your mind and heart transform through the power of His active Word.

“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” –Romans 12:2

Challenge You

Following Him isn’t easy. It’s a constant battle of flesh and spirit, will and mind. Sometimes, He will call us to difficult obedience, like giving up a bad habit that isn’t best for us. Other times, He’ll give us something to think about, a way of living we’ve never considered. God’s goal is sanctification—becoming holy and purified, like Jesus. By His Spirit, we can open up our hearts to be changed for our good and God’s glory.

“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” –1 Thessalonians 5:23

When we feel depleted from a never-ending season, we can go to Him to be refilled. When we’re discouraged, He will feed us truth. Jesus is the source of living water that empowers us to keep going as we live and work out of His overflow.

What nourishes your soul? Let God refuel you today.

LIVE IT OUT

Theme Verse: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13

Quarter Verse: “… and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” –Ephesians 3:19

Question: What refuels you? Is it a lasting refueling, or something that only goes so far then leaves you empty again?

Challenge: Ask yourself if you are truly putting your hope in Christ alone. If not, what adjustments do you need to make to surrender to His Lordship in your life? 

CTA: Find a group of people who can help remind you to keep refueling in Christ--join an FCA Huddle near you: Find a Huddle

*If you read this article and aren’t in relationship with Christ yet but would like to know more, we invite you to go through FCA’s The FOUR that explains how an everlasting and fulfilling life with God is possible.