Perhaps it’s only natural to want to protect limited resources. And there is wisdom in remembering our rather human limitations. But all too often we live in the fear of depletion that we forget the power of the resurrection. We hoard our strength rather than living in hope and offering ourselves as a living sacrifice.
For instance, many men have become preoccupied and obsessed with semen retention. They fear losing semen means losing life itself. Of course, there are many who are indeed wasteful with their sexual energy – pursuing outlets that are not life giving. However, being a good steward of our sexual energy doesn’t mean we have to live in fear of losing too much semen. God has designed our bodies to continually replenish what is lost. And this principle holds throughout the rest of our life and relationships as well.
For example, we might be tempted to hold back our strength at work, in our finances, marriages, or the pursuit of friendships. Whatever it looks like, we live with a scarcity mindset fearing what might happen if we give too much of ourselves away.
To be sure, we cannot be everything to everyone, and every battle is not ours to fight. Without discernment we do risk spreading ourselves too thin. But this is not the same as living in fear. And when we remember the power of the resurrection we’re able to live boldly in hope – giving freely and trusting the renewal that follows sacrifice.
Christ died. But on the third day he rose again. This was a real death, and the loss was felt deeply. Yet this pales in comparison to the new life he now brings.
In the same way, we don’t have to deny the cost of our sacrifices. As a true sacrifice, something meaningful is required of us. But, like in our bodies, and with the resurrection of Christ, we trust what we offer in sacrifice God restores in abundance.
In the end, there’s no need to hoard your strength. Give yourself freely – knowing more life will come. This is the pattern of the resurrection revealed even in our very bodies.
