The Art of Self Care: Return to the Source

Exhaustion is a common condition of human existence. Humans have basic biological needs- food, water, rest (and I would argue- exercise). These are basic human necessities and are universal. In fact, we cannot survive without these fundamental elements of life and energy. However, there is another basic element of human existence, many people fail to acknowledge- the need for intimacy with God.

In Genesis, God created Adam from the dust of the ground and with his own breath, breathed life into Adam. Genesis 2 says, “The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed life into his nostrils- the breath of life and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). Notice, until God breathed the breath of life into him, Adam was not a living being. He was formed, but he was not alive. God’s breath is a part of our very DNA. We are incomplete without his breath in our lungs.

The human body consists of approximately 60 percent water. As a result, humans must drink water to replenish the body’s supply of water and restore this energy. In the same way, humans need God to replenish their depleted energy supply. The longer duration we go without allowing God to replenish our energy, the more time we spend empty. Those who attempt to continue through life without returning to the source will remain empty and unfulfilled- thirsting for something nothing else can quench.

The human search for significance and earthly fulfillment is evidence of a need for intimacy with the father. Theological scholars describe the existence of a God-shaped hole in the lives of those who do not know Christ. This God-shaped hole cannot be filled with anything but God. In turn, people go to heights and depths to discover this significance. In fact, the wisest and richest man who ever lived, King Solomon described this search for significance in Ecclesiastes. In the beginning of the book, Solomon declares, “Meaningless! Meaningless… Everything is meaningless.” Solomon found out this truth through the pursuit of meaning and happiness. He dabbled in worldly pleasures, work, received endless wisdom, and still he was left empty. Worse yet- he declared everything to be meaningless. But this is not the end of the story. At the end of Ecclesiastes, Solomon makes this brass statement, “Here is the conclusion of the matter; Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 ). I urge you to ponder this for a second. Previously we learned the Old Testament interpretation of fear God means to “revere” God- to live in awe of him. So then, if we want to break this down into extremely simplistic terms, Solomon found the meaning of life and the answer to significance and fulfillment was to live in awe of God and obey him. Why do we make intimacy and obedience so complicated? The answer to our search for significance is living in intimacy with God and listening wholehearted to his commandments.

Then, you may ask, what does this have to do with the human condition of exhaustion? Jesus, himself gave us this very answer in John 15, “I am the true vine, and my father is the gardener… I am the vine and you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Jesus is the vine, while we are the branches. He is our energy source. However, if we are cut off from the vine (i.e. our energy source) we will continually be exhausted. We cannot be replenished and our energy restored until we return to the source- the vine! He has the power to supply our every physical, emotional, and psychological need. No branch can bear fruit by itself. It needs the source. We need Jesus like we need oxygen! He provides our life fuel. We become depleted when we are cut off from the source.

In an earlier chapter in John, Jesus addresses a Samaritan woman in stating, “’If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water. Sir the woman said, you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as also did his sons and his flocks and his herds? Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life’” (John 4: 10-14). Little did the woman know, she was speaking with the very source himself.

A few weeks ago, I dealt with a bout of severe exhaustion. I could not get out of bed at a decent time, and when I was out of bed I wanted to be back in bed. As I examined my habits over the prior week, I realized I was not giving my body and soul the proper care it needed. For our bodies are a temple of the Most High through which we bring glory to our king. When we are healthy holistically, we bring praise to God! However, when we are neglecting our temples, we give the devil a foothold and exhaustion ensues. As God taught me, self-care is not selfish! Self-care acts as a means through which we can bring God glory.

In Matthew 11, Jesus addresses exhaustion stating, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-30). Jesus practiced the art of self-care daily by returning to the father. Whenever his soul was weary, he returned to the source and God replenished his energy.

So let me ask you, are you tired? Is your energy depleted? Are you overwhelmed and your burdens heavy? Return to the source and find rest for your soul!