Hymn #503 in Celebrating Grace Hymnal — “Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak”
[pullquote_center width=”55%”]O fill me with your fullness, Lord,
Until my very heart o’erflow
In kindling thought and glowing word,
Your love to tell, your praise to show.[/pullquote_center]
“Service burn-out” is a common complaint among those who serve in positions of leadership in the church, both clergy and laity. The formula of unlimited needs met by limited resources can exhaust the heartiest of servants. A common cause of burn-out, I think, is seeking to serve “empty”. Often, those who serve never take the time to be filled, inspired, refreshed.
This text reminds me that our source for the good that we do is God’s goodness. We are reminded that we speak what God speaks to us, that we lead as we are led, that we teach what we are taught by God’s Spirit, that we serve the world out of the fullness of God’s grace in us. In our eagerness to pour out our lives for others, let us not forget the source of our fullness.
Fill us, Lord, that we may minister out of the overflow of Your goodness.