Have Energy, From the Heart, For God

by Fred Alcain on February 13, 2026

SCRIPTURE:

"You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf."

Leviticus 22:20

 

OBSERVATION:

In this passage, God instructs the Israelites to bring sacrifices without defect. The offering had to be whole, healthy, and valuable. Why? Because God is holy. The offering reflected the honor given to Him. God was not being demanding for the sake of control. He was establishing a principle of reverence. What we bring to Him reveals what we believe about Him.

This command also reveals something deeper: God values intentionality and excellence. A defective sacrifice often means I was keeping the best for myself and giving God what was left over. This speaks directly to how I steward my energy. I may not bring animals to an altar, but I bring something just as significant: my focus, my time, my strength, my attention, my obedience. If I spend my best energy on distractions, overthinking, comparison, or busyness, I may find that I am offering God what is leftover what is defective. What I have left is fatigue, rushed prayers and distracted worship. If I exhaust myself on things God never assigned to me, trying to control outcomes, worrying about others’ opinions, carrying unnecessary emotional burdens, I defect what I have left to give Him. God deserves my first and finest, not my leftover fragments.

APPLICATION:

If I want to give God my best, I must steward my energy intentionally. That means:

  1. Be Mindful of My Mental Energy

I cannot allow overthinking, comparison, resentment, or fear to consume the focus I should be giving to God. When my mind is scattered, my offering becomes scattered.

  1. Prioritizing My Physical Energy

If I’m constantly running on empty, neglecting rest, discipline, and healthy rhythms, I may unintentionally give God fatigue instead of vitality. Rest is stewardship. Discipline is worship.

  1. Examining My Emotional Energy

Not every situation deserves my emotional investment. When I entangle myself in drama, control, or unnecessary conflict, I drain strength that could be used in prayer, service, and purpose.

  1. Giving God My First, Not My Leftovers
  • First thoughts in the morning
  • Focused prayer instead of rushed prayer
  • Intentional worship instead of distracted worship

Excellence for God is not about striving, it is about aligning. It is choosing to invest my best energy in what has eternal value. If Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for me, then my response should be wholehearted devotion, not fragmented effort.

PRAYER:

Jesus, You are holy and worthy of my very best. Forgive me for the times I have given You what was leftover. Forgive me for exhausting myself on things You never asked me to carry. Teach me to steward my energy wisely. Help me recognize distractions that drain me and habits that diminish my focus. Give me discipline to guard my mind, body, and heart so that what I offer You is whole and intentional. “With energy, from the heart, for God.” Amen

About the Author

Fred Alcain

As the Extension Pastor at New Hope Oahu, Fred’s focus is on taking New Hope’s creative arts and musical presentations out into the community as the point of the spear of Evangelism.

On staff at New Hope since 2005, Fred also oversees and shepherds our Worship and Music teams alongside his wife, Jana. With Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music Education and Hawaiian Studies from The University of Hawaii at Manoa and a Professional Degree in Music Performance from the Los Angeles Music Academy, Fred also humbly serves on the Board of Directors at New Hope Christian School and 24/7 Danceforce.

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