Weariness is woven into our daily physical, emotional, and spiritual fabric. We push ourselves when the pressure is on. We labor beyond our limits through the intense seasons of life. Yet, sometimes our compulsion to “press on” can be unwise. He who burns the candle at both ends isn’t as bright as he thinks.

He who burns the candle at both ends isn’t as bright as he thinks.

But, weary as we might be, we still have to get up and fulfill the responsibilities of life. More importantly, we are required and even privileged to minister to other people even when we feel depleted. In fact, strange as it seems, sometimes our best ministry can occur in our seasons of greatest weariness. Supernatural grace flows to and through the weary servant of Christ.

Weary as we might be, we still have to get up and fulfill the responsibilities of life. More importantly, we are required and even privileged to minister to other people even when we feel depleted.

A Spent Savior

I recently noticed a phrase in John chapter 4 that recounts the story of Jesus and His encounter with the Samaritan, the woman at Jacob’s well. It is a phrase I’ve never really pondered, even after decades of reading this profound story.

So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, so Jesus, wearied from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour (John 4:5–6).

Jesus was fully human and fully God. The text records that, in His humanity, He experienced exhaustion. He was tired and thirsty. He was worn down and fatigued. Commentators estimate that He and his disciples were on day two of a 40-mile journey as He stopped at this well around the noontime heat of the day.

Frankly, I would be looking for a cool spot under a shade tree to take a refreshing power nap. But, the divine Jesus Christ knew that the work of the gospel is relevant, urgent, and mighty in moments of extreme weariness. So, like Jesus, we must be willing, aware, and ready to do gospel work even when our tank is low.

Jesus Christ knew that the work of the gospel is relevant, urgent, and mighty in moments of extreme weariness. So, like Jesus, we must be willing, aware, and ready to do gospel work even when our tank is low.

Space does not permit a complete exposition of the text, but you can read the story in John 4:1-42. For now, let’s see three things that were evident as Jesus ministered from His weariness. Perhaps, at this moment, you also are spent and wondering how God might choose to work in and through you.

A Surprising Moment of Ministry

In an unorthodox engagement, Jesus asks the Samaritan woman to give Him water. Her response tells it all:

“How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, “Give me a drink,” you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water (John 4:9–10).

In that culture, Jewish men did not publicly engage with women. Jews typically despised Samaritans. But Jesus, seeing an open door for ministry, not only engages this woman but quickly seizes the opportunity to turn a superficial conversation into a spiritual point of impact.

In the exhaustion of our most demanding days, we need to follow Jesus’ example of awareness and engagement. Sometimes this occurs during unexpected and casual conversations or everyday interactions. But, in our weakness, Christ will be sufficient to give us the grace to step into situations that might bear unanticipated spiritual fruit.

A Sensitive Expression of Ministry

In His divinity, Jesus already knew the depth of her need. So He quickly led the conversation to a focus that stirred her spiritual interest and introduced a source of life that could change everything for her. He declared,

Whoever drinks the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life (John 4:14).

Having excited her interest in His “living water,” He graciously exposed her dishonorable life’s story, noting that she previously had five husbands and was currently living with a sixth man. Knowing Jesus was a man of extraordinary spiritual insight, her interests quickly moved to matters of worship and her awareness of the coming Jewish Messiah. Jesus lays it on the line: “I who speak to you am he” (John 4:24).

There are days when we feel too tired to minister to others, let alone share the gospel with some lost soul. Yet, we must remember that their spiritual condition is much more tragic than our temporary fatigue. So, empowered by the Spirit, we can step through the open door to explain the power of Jesus to change everything to those God brings across our path.

There are days when we feel too tired to minister to others, let alone share the gospel with some lost soul. Yet, we must remember that their spiritual condition is much more tragic than our temporary fatigue.

We may not have the supernatural insight of Jesus to instinctively lead the conversation to a gospel presentation, but we can listen well and follow the interchange to that point of sharing the good news as we apply it to the situations of their story.

A Significant Outcome of Ministry

Very often, in our tiredness, we do not perceive the great spiritual impact God can bring through inadequate vessels. Yet, in this biblical account, we see an amazing outcome.

So the woman left her water jar, went into town, and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” They went out of the town and were coming to him (John 4:28–30, ESV).

As the story unfolds, the impact spreads.

So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world” (John 4:40–42).

Jesus adjusted His travel plans for two days of profound ministry. The power of Christ powerfully converted an entire community of unlikely prospects. We should never underestimate what God can do in and through us, especially when we do not feel like doing the Lord’s work.

Seeking the Things That Restore

You may know that in the context of this story, the disciples previously left to get some food. When they eventually returned, the transformation of a Samaritan woman had unfolded,  to their dismay. When they proceeded to offer Jesus some lunch, He offered a profound response:

“I have food to eat that you do not know about…My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work” (John 4:32-33).

Then He gave them this admonition: “…lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest” (John 4:35).

Here’s the takeaway:

What restores a weary soul is being used by God to make an eternal difference in the life of another person. Yes, rest is necessary. Naps can be restorative. But those surprising, sensitive, and significant moments can do good for our souls in inexplicable ways.

To experience this, we must lift our eyes with the intentionality and heart of Jesus to see the spiritual harvest, making our often-depleted lives available to Him. This is the real food of life.

Don’t Feel Like It?

I remember reading the story of a college student who showed up to class having failed to complete his project for the day. The professor called him forward, asking why he did not do the assigned work. The student responded, “I just didn’t feel like it.” The professor rose from his desk on the verge of anger and yelled, “Has it occurred to you, young man, that the world is run by people who do not feel like it?” He got the point, and so should we.

The world is run by people who do not feel like it.

Let’s pray for one another in our weariness. Let’s take care of ourselves as best as we can. But let’s not allow fatigue to lead to spiritual failure and apathy toward those around us who need a touch from Jesus. Life-changing ministry often occurs through the willingness of those who simply don’t feel like it.

Copyright © 2023 Daniel Henderson. All rights reserved.