The Parable of the Battery

A while back, our church owned a bus. It was used for trips, taking youth to camp, and your classic garden-variety church needs.

We hadn't used it in a while, and it was time for our youth to head to summer camp, so my husband went to get the bus from the lot where we kept it stored.

About an hour after he left the house, he called me to say the battery on the bus had died. He had been trying in vain to resurrect it for the past hour or so, and he asked me to bring a bunch of tools and items from our garage to see if we could get it going.

As I was driving to the bus lot, the Holy Spirit whispered in my spirit:

"The batteries of My people are dying."

Umm... okay, I thought. I had no idea what that meant. But I know when God is trying to show me something, so after helping my husband with the bus battery, went home and spent time with the Lord and asked him to show me what He meant.

I didn't know much at all about car batteries, but God took me on a journey that day. He gave me such a beautiful picture that explained in a simple and clear way a lot of what I had personally experienced in my life, and I am sure you have too.

You know how Jesus used parables-pointing to something physical, like a farmer or a fig tree, to teach something spiritual?

God used a physical car battery to show me spiritual truths.

The things He showed me in what affectionately call "The Parable of the Battery" became life-giving truths to me, and in this book, I want to share them with you.

Because, friend, we've all been there-with our batteries dying

That place where we're running on fumes, drained, exhausted, and feeling like we're just about to give up. Even though we love Jesus with our whole heart, it's as if our battery isn't strong enough for us to shine our light for Him anymore.

Some might call it burnout. Others just throw in the towel without even trying to name it.

Oh, how I wish I had the tools I do now, thirty years ago when I started my ministry journey.

I wish it were not the case, but the truth is that over the years I have had so many moments of drained batteries. Every time it happened, I learned something new that kept me from future drains.

Over time, the lessons added up. I learned how to live from a place of overflow and stay continually charged.

I learned my rhythm with Jesus - how to live from a place of strength. That's not to say never get tired or discouraged-of course I do. But it's never that all-out drained, bone-deep feeling of empty anymore.

Maybe you're in that space right now, finding it harder and harder to keep going. You've given all you have, and it feels like there's nothing left in the tank. Leadership, relationships, work-life itself-can sometimes leave us feeling utterly depleted. But here's the thing: you don't have to stay there!

You can recharge.

And not only that- God designed you to stay charged.

His desire is for us to serve Jesus for the rest of our lives and never burn out.

So, if that is true, why is "burnout" so often used in Christian circles? Why are we feeling spiritually drained if we have the Holy Spirit living on the inside of us?

As God led me on this unlikely learning journey through car batteries, I began to see how much our lives resemble that simple object under the hood. It was like Jesus was giving me a modern-day parable, right there in my living room.

Like a battery, we don't have unlimited reserves.

If we're not cared for properly, we get drained over time.

Maybe your battery is low today. You're exhausted by the demands of life and ministry. Or maybe you're still moving, but it's slower than usual, and the power you once felt just isn't there anymore.

In the pages to follow I'll share with you the things that have helped me stay charged and avoid burnout.

This book is for those moments-when you feel the weight of everything, when personal struggles and betrayals weigh heavily, and when you wonder if you have anything left to give. If that's you, know that there is hope!

Just because your battery is drained doesn't mean it's dead. It just needs to be recharged.

And if you're in a season of strength and doing well-this is for you, too!

Think of this book like a user manual-to help keep your batteries running strong for the long haul and guard against the temptation to stop maintaining your spiritual battery.

Take your time going through it. I've divided the book into six sections, and whether you're using it for group study or reading on your own, spending a week on each section will help you absorb what you're reading and create lasting change.

Because I don't know about you, but my goal and greatest desire is to shine bright for Jesus until the day I meet Him face to face. If I had to guess, I'd say you feel the same way. And that doesn't happen by accident-it takes intentional work to keep our battery charged.

Let's dive in!

If you would like to be able to do a complete study of Recharged, order a copy by contacting Empowered Women's Ministry at empoweredwomen@pcg.org or 817.554.5900 ext. 371. Also available at pcg.org/resources or Amazon.