When God’s Call Feels Too Big to Carry

There are few feelings more unsettling than being miles from home, late at night, watching your fuel light blink with no gas station in sight. As your palms sweat and your heart races, you realize: you’re running on empty, and if help doesn’t come soon, you’re going nowhere.

That’s how many Christians quietly feel in their callings especially those in ministry, parenting, missions, or caregiving. The tank is low. Burnout feels near. And we’re not even sure how we got here.

Why does faithfulness feel so exhausting?

The Subtle Danger of a Shrinking God

Often, we begin our callings with a healthy sense of dependence. But somewhere along the way amid the trials, the needs, and the endless demands our view of God starts to shrink. We begin to feel like we are the ones holding everything together. We imagine God as a taskmaster with high expectations and little compassion.

When this happens, something devastating unfolds beneath the surface: our service becomes disconnected from worship. Our calling becomes disconnected from the Caller. And we begin running on spiritual fumes our own strength, our own grit, our own worn-thin willpower.

Jesus Knew We’d Feel This Way

Hours before His crucifixion, Jesus looked at His disciples and said, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He knew they would suffer. He knew they would be overwhelmed. But He also knew that victory wasn’t dependent on their ability it was dependent on His.

The key to endurance, Jesus says, is not self-reliance. It’s a renewed, rested confidence in His overcoming power.

But how do we “take heart” when we feel empty?

Plug into the Power Source

The answer comes earlier in that same passage: “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:24)

Jesus is not pointing His disciples to more hustle. He’s pointing them to the Father’s fullness. Because of Christ, we can now approach the God of heaven directly, drawing upon His strength, wisdom, and joy.

God doesn’t need us to be impressive. He wants us to be connected to abide, to ask, and to trust that He will provide all we need to do what He’s called us to do.

The God Who Lacks Nothing

The God who made the world doesn’t depend on human effort. He is not “served by human hands, as though he needed anything” (Acts 17:25). He has never been needy. He has never been tired. He has never been overwhelmed.

Instead, God is the very source of strength. He is full of love because He has always existed in love Father, Son, and Holy Spirit delighting in one another for all eternity.

This is not a God who wrings His hands when you’re weak. This is a God who overflows who gives freely and abundantly to those who come to Him with empty hands.

The Cross Exposes and Empowers

The ultimate proof of God’s fullness is the cross of Christ.

At the cross, we’re reminded of two things:

1. We’re more empty than we know. The cross reveals that we bring nothing to the table except our need. All our efforts fall short. All our attempts to “hold it together” are undone.

2. God is more full than we ever imagined. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He poured out His life so that we could receive His power. And that same power now sustains us in every good work.

Stop Running on Empty

Too often, we take up the yoke of ministry or parenting or discipleship as if God is depending on us instead of us depending on Him. But the cross tells a different story: God isn’t needy. He’s generous.

He doesn’t call you to a mission and then leave you to figure it out. He calls you and then fills you, again and again. “From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” (John 1:16)

You are not the fuel source of your life. You’re the vessel and God’s supply never runs dry.

If You Feel Empty Today

• Don’t push harder. Pause and pray.

• Don’t assume God is frustrated with you. Remember the cross.

• Don’t believe you’ve been left alone. Run to the One who never leaves.

Because the God who calls you is the God who fills you. And His fullness is far greater than any burden you carry.

Are you running on fumes? Stop, breathe, and let Him refill your soul today. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for updates.