Burning Your Candle at Both Ends?

Luke 5:16

"...and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray."

Even the most selfless mission requires a "desert place" for recalibration.

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that self-care is selfish, but as the example of Jesus shows us in Luke 5:16, it is actually a prerequisite for service. If the Source of strength Himself saw the necessity of withdrawing to pray, how much more do we need that space to breathe and reconnect?

The "Desert" as a Place of Strength:

In the biblical context, the desert wasn't just a place of emptiness; it was a place of undivided attention. When we are "burning the candle at both ends," our attention is fragmented into a thousand pieces.

Spiritual Renewal: Finding silence to hear your own thoughts and God’s voice.

Physical Stewardship: Honoring the body through rest and nutrition, treating it as the vessel that allows you to show up for your family.

Emotional Boundaries: Recognizing that saying "no" to a crowd for a moment is what allows you to say a meaningful "yes" to those who matter most later.

In the end, we cannot pour from an empty cup. Just as Jesus withdrew to the desert to find strength in His Father, we must honor our own need for rest and prayer. By caring for our bodies and souls today, we ensure we have the light to guide others tomorrow.

To help you find that moment of peace and physical renewal, here is my recipe for a Healing and Healthy Butternut Squash Soup. It is warm and designed to comfort both the body and the soul.

Healing Butternut Squash Soup

INGREDIENTS

1 lg butternut squash

1 lg white onion

2 Tbsp minced garlic

1/2 c olive oil

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp seasoned pepper (Iuse mccormick's)

2 teaspoons dry chicken bouillon

2 c water

3/4 c half and half

INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

STEP 2

Peel and seed the squash, cut into large cubes and place in large bowl. Cut the onion

into large chunks and add to bowl. Add garlic, olive oil and spices; mix.

STEP 3

Pour out onto lined pan and bake 30-40 minutes, until squash is fork tender.

STEP 4

Pour all ingredients into a large pot and blend with an immersion blender, adding

bouillon, water and half and half. Add enough water and half and half to make

the consistency shown in photo. It will be thick and creamy.

Serves 8