“You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5b). 

Many years ago, I read a quote by George Bernard Shaw that inspired me. He wrote,” I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live.” Based on this quote I had this idea of giving/spending myself until there was nothing left to give. Sort of racing so hard that you keel over at the finish line because you have nothing left. Putting it all on the line. And please do not misunderstand, I believe the sentiment behind this statement (which is actually part of a much longer speech), is commendable. 

However, my pastor has been preaching on “All Things New” this year, and from his teaching I have realized that while possibly noble, the idea of being all used up is not biblical. It is not biblical because the implication is that what we have to give is totally of our own doing, that we serve out of our own power, but that is not the reality for believers. 

The biblical reality is that we are vessels for God’s use. The anointing described by David signifies the bestowing of God’s favor. David was anointed as we see from the passage above. Jesus was anointed as we read in Acts 10:37-38. And as believers, we are anointed, as described in this passage from Got Questions: “There is also a sense in which Christians today are anointed. Through Jesus Christ, believers receive “an anointing from the Holy One” (1 John 2:20). This anointing is not expressed in an outward ceremony but through sharing in the gift of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11). At the moment of salvation, believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and joined to Christ, the Anointed One. As a result, we partake of His anointing (2 Corinthians 1:21–22). According to one scholar, this anointing “expresses the sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit upon Christians who are priests and kings unto God.’” 

And as the psalmist states, his “cup overflows.” When we are anointed as vessels for service, we share in the gift of the Holy Spirit; and the Holy Spirit is an endless, eternal flowing of God’s goodness and mercy. In fact, that is what David says in the very next verse: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” (Psalm 6a). The overflow cannot be hoarded; it is for us to share, to fuel our service, which we offer out of thanksgiving for the grace and mercy extended to us by Jesus, The Anointed One. 

When we serve out of our own power, we can become frustrated, exhausted, even hopeless, especially when it seems that our work is in vain. When we serve out of the gifting of the Holy Spirit, using the fruits of the Holy Spirit, then we are operating out of the same power that raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11). While available, this power is not automatic. We must cooperate in obedience in order to fully benefit. In subsequent devotions, I will go more into the actions we must take to fully benefit, but I leave you with this most important first step: Pray! 

Pray. The power of the Holy Spirit is available to us when we ask God for it. In the morning when you first open your eyes, ask God to provide what you need when you need it, and He will. In the moment when you are confused, frustrated, frightened, overwhelmed, ask God to provide. He does not have to be an emergency backup for when the power otherwise fails (although He can be). And when you do not even know how to pray, the Holy Spirit will “groan” for you (what an unbelievably comforting image). And trust that as a believer, even when you forget to ask, God will never let you down. Jesus promised: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper (the Holy Spirit), to be with you forever” (John 14:16). 

So for sure, one of my superpowers is the willingness and ability to work hard. I like to work; I love to serve. But I have my limits, and I have certainly come to the end of myself many times. Praise God, He is there to accomplish so much more through me that I could ever do on my own. And of course, I really never can do anything on my own anyway, it is always God. Praise God. 

Just know that whatever God asks of you, he will provide the means for you to accomplish it regardless of the role(s) in which you serve. One of my all-time favorite worship songs: Same Power, by Jeremy Camp. Now, rather than praying to serve until I am all used up, I pray to be going full steam under God’s power at whatever He calls me to do until I take my dying breath.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). 

In Christ, 

Judy