Of Burned Out & Fresh Feathers

Reflection for June 6, 2023

By Pastor Jeffrey T. Jo

Reading: Isaiah 41:27-31

I came across last night about a recent Barna’s research that 1 out of 3 Pastors are burned out and quits their divine call. I believe what triggers this most of the time is when the work-load is large and the recognition or appreciation is small. Such burnout is not uncommon neither it is a sin. Our exhaustion does not disappoint God but He also wanted us not to stay there.

Our reading emphasized it’s point in the last verse, “… but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength…”.

What does it mean to hope in the Lord? The word “hope” here in the Hebrew language(qavah) means three things (S.E.T.):

1. Surrender – a humble recognition that there are things in our lives that our hands are tied but His are not. We are saying to Him, “Lord I cannot do this that why I am surrendering this all to You”
2. Exchange – a conscious swapping of our frail ability with God’s gracious sovereignty. We are saying to Him, “Lord apart from You I cannot do anything, I need You every hour of my life.”
3. Trust – a God-given confidence that chose to believe in His promises rather than to be succumbed to desperate murmuring. We are saying to Him, “Lord I don’t need to understand but all I have to do is to hold Your hand, for indeed You will never leave me nor forsake me.”

The word “renew” in the Hebrew usage illustrates a bird’s feathers weary and worn out but as the bird rests and wait, fresh feathers will come out.” If you are a pastor like me, try asking these questions that might help you as you wait upon the Lord to bring fresh feathers in your ministry.

• Do I see myself first as a child of God who needs nourishing of my soul in His word and in His presence everyday? Or am I focused so much on on my ministerial duties?
• Am I really called as a lead pastor or I am far better than a support (or assistant pastor)? Do my fellow leaders and church members acknowledged that I am one or is it just me pushing myself to be one?
• Have I trained others to do the works of the ministry as mentioned in Ephesians 4 or I always like to be hands-on in all things? Have I grasped the reality that ‘wise delegation means fruitful administration’?

To those of you who are not pastors but volunteer church leaders, those of you who works in a corporate world being entrusted with responsibilities bigger than you, remember the following:

• Where God calls you, God will sustain you. Draw your strength and inspiration everyday from His word and time of simple yet honest communion with Him in prayer.
• Be honest with your pastor, supervisor, coach, etc. of your limits, either you need to humbly beg off of a responsibility (my daughter did this a few weeks ago and he was promoted in a new department fit for her) or ask for days off just to unwind and recharge.

This is God’s design of end-view when we hope in Him, “They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint”(v31b).