The quality of service we give is undeniably affected by the amount of excitement we find in doing it. The capacity and enthusiasm in the way we serve our families, communities, church mates, co-workers, bosses, clients and ultimately God are directly affected by the passion and energy that drive us.
Serving out of obligation and compulsion can be draining, and no one enjoys that. And the truth is that we don't have to. Proverbs 11:25 says, "Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered."
Service was always meant to be exciting and passion-driven.
Here are four things you can do if you have lost that passion and excitement to serve God and others.
1. Understand It's Not Always About Feelings
Emotions can be a tricky thing, but did you know you can be passionate even in the midst of negative emotions? That's what the prophet Jeremiah had when he said, "If I say, 'I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,' there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot." (Jeremiah 20:7)
Here was a man dismayed by His trials but still had that fiery passion to speak God's truth. We can have that same passion still burn in us in the midst of grief, pain or anger.
2. Give It Time
In life, we won't always be on a high. There are seasons of dryness as there are seasons of abundance. And in those seasons, the best thing to do is to wait it out and—more importantly—wait on God. God will come and send rain—a fresh watering of our souls—if we persevere through the famine.
Perseverance is extremely vital in service, and experiencing a dry season is one important reason why that is so. Most people who find the most passion and excitement in what they do are those who brave through the hard times when we question our heart and purpose the most.
3. Consider a Transition of Season
Dryness can often mean that it's time to move to a new season—a new ministry, a new job, a new neighbourhood, or a new way of serving people. That doesn't include jumping into new relationships, though. Relationships are non-replaceable.
4. Spend Time With God
Undeniably the most important thing you should do when there is a loss of heart in what you do is to return to your first love. There is nothing more reviving as being in the presence of God. Just as Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
God's presence energises us and fills us up so that we can continue to fill up others with that same love we receive from Christ. Everything is an outflow of our relationship with God and when we are deprived of God's presence, we deprive others of the passionate service we are called to give.
