I’ve never been terribly fond of the phrase “waste my life for Jesus.” It brought up images of missionaries and evangelists burning themselves out before the age of 30 – ten years of service, maybe, for Christ and then useless for anyone or anything, and often bitter and disillusioned. I thought, Why not live a sustainable relationship with Jesus so that you can bless people into your 80s and 90s?
My reasoning wasn’t a lack of passion or a desire for passivity. I’ve simply watched too many talented people, in love with Jesus but with more zeal than wisdom, run themselves into the ground. They still love Jesus, but they also suffer from adrenal failure and health issues that stem from little sleep, eating poorly, constant adrenaline, and generally overwork.
I believe that God gives strength for the journey. I believe He supplies what He requires. The Bible says that the Father is always working (John 15:17). However, He’s also the Jesus that said, “Come by yourselves to a secluded place and rest for a while” (Mark 6:31). The Christ Who led His disciples to a foreign nation so that they could escape the constant pressure (Mark 7:24-29). The God Who rested on the seventh day after His work of creation (Genesis 2:2-3).
Recently, I came to a new understanding of the phrase “waste your life for Jesus.” It wasn’t a clever speaker or a good book – it was a very sudden “ah-ha!” moment while I was praying. “Wasting your life” isn’t so much about burning yourself out as it is giving up the world and its value system of how to live, what to love, what to do, and the timeline to do it – so that you can do what the Father is doing (John 5:19). The “waste” is from the world’s point of view. Giving up your dreams, desires, and “getting ahead” – following God because you trust that He has your best interest in mind. Following Him in everything, every day.
If that’s wasting your life – it’s worth it!
