to grow . All wildlife has fled . The ecosystem teeters on collapse .
Shouldn ’ t we feel more alive than this ? Where is the full life we long for ?
Most of us have been there at some point in our lives . When we feel that severe lack , the kind of burnout we can ’ t find our way out of , we often remain unaware that it ’ s our souls that are cracked and undernourished , arid and hot and prickly . We ’ re uncomfortable . Everything is unsatisfying .
Three thousand years ago , a Hebrew poet wrote these words that we identify as the desperation of a thirsty soul still today :
Why , my soul , are you downcast ? Why so disturbed within me ? PSALM 43:5
We know that a lush , thriving interior life is possible . We sense that our existence should be more connected , more aligned . We thirst for something more , something nourishing that hasn ’ t materialized — and we ’ re left wondering where our lives are headed .
When the soul is severely parched , the former lush undergrowth becomes tinder that can easily become engulfed in flames and cause terrifying destruction .
All that is required is a spark .
As I ’ ve worked these last many years with individuals and organizations all over the world , I have come to discover that my personal experience with overwork and the accompanying symptoms of severe soul depletion are far from unique . In fact , sometimes the more devoted someone is to serving others , the more likely they are to be operating out of a severe deficit rather than overflow .
How is it that almost everywhere I go , the people connected to God are dying inside ? They are dry , parched , withering even — but the show must go on , the work must get done .
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