Are you running on fumes?
Maybe it’s just me (and it really might be because we were potty training two toddlers this week) but by this time of the year, it seems like we’re all running on fumes.
Fired up for the spring? Yes.
Glad there’s more sunshine and warmer days? Yes.
Needing to take a nap or two? Yes, and double yes.
Whether you spent this Spring Break traveling for vacation or work. At the ball fields for long tournaments or working long nights at your second job. It’s quite possible that we’re all running on fumes.
The funny thing about time and energy both is that neither of them cares about how much money we have or don’t have—they both deplete faster than we’d like to admit and often faster than we need them to. So whether you were vacationing at some remote island or picking up extra shifts this week, it’s understandable to be flat-out tired.
So, what do you do? Where does God fit into the exhausted mix?
I’ll tell you where he doesn’t need to fit—outside of our lives.
When we’re incredibly exhausted, what is the first thing in our typical routine that usually goes?
It’s not our hygiene.
It’s not our work.
It’s not eating or sleeping.
It’s usually our time with God.
But why? This is what God’s Word says:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
—2 Corinthians 12:9
This is Paul talking about a difficulty he is facing and asking God to change. God refuses to change it and instead gives Paul this word we see in 2 Corinthians 12:9.
Now, let’s go hypothetical a bit here.
Imagine Paul received this word from God early in the morning one day. He does what he typically does by waking up before sunrise and seeking after God, and God speaks.
Now imagine if Paul hit the snooze button that morning. Or maybe the night before, he said, “Man, I’m worn out from this thing. I’m just going to sleep in tomorrow morning.” And instead of receiving this word, he…well, didn’t receive any word. What does Paul move through his day encouraged and strengthened by?
I know it’s all hypothetical, but what if it’s not? What if God does, in fact, want to speak to us when we wake up before sunrise and seek Him in His Word? What if He has something planned for us to receive tomorrow morning?
What if we miss it because we’re tired and decide to sleep in? I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to miss it.
According to 2 Corinthians 12:9, in our weakness might be where God prefers us.
It’s in our weakness that He is proved strong.
It’s in our weakness that His grace is proved sufficient for us.
It’s in our weakness that we see the power of Christ rest on us.
But far too often it’s in our weakness that we decide to take a break from seeking God.
Let’s not do that. Seek Him. Ask Him how to find the rest you need. Don’t give up seeking Him, hoping to find rest.
We all need rest. We all need a break. God knows best what will help us the most.
I’ll leave you with this verse:
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
—Matthew 11:29
The rest you need is found in Him, not necessarily in bed.
I hope you have a great week.
—Brandon Moore, Dean of Spiritual Development