Find rest

“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NIV

Physical fatigue comes from all directions. Working hard is not a bad thing. Some people

have to work in a far more physically demanding profession than others. My dad was throwing loads of freight that hit close to 50,000 pounds per truck when he was my current age. If I get up too fast my knees pop. Usually when you get tired you can eventually take a break. When you get off of work or complete a project you can sit down and rest. On rare days you might even get to sleep in. You can sort of catch up.

Emotional fatigue can be harder to get past. If you are worried about something you may not be able to get your mind to take a break. Conflict in your relationships with other people or with situations in your life do not always work themselves out in our own timing. Without solving an issue, it can be hard to catch a break from emotional stress.

But have you ever been spiritually tired? I am confident that God has put together a path for my life. There is literally no way I would have ever dreamed where I would end up because I did not know it was possible. I would not have picked Hays. I would not have picked door to door sales. I never imagined three kids. I have friends I did not know existed. I have peace that I did not know was possible. But sometimes I get tired – spiritually.

Spiritual fatigue can be a little like quicksand. I can try all kinds of things. I can make sure I read God’s word. I can sit in silence trying to hear from God. I can do all of the right things and sometimes they work. However, sometimes I can do all of the right things and not feel a spiritual connection at all. At times, my prayer life is more of a struggle to shut my own voice off than it is to make room for the King to speak into my soul.

I can find myself whining to God about the very thing I know He provided. Ever ask Him for a job and then complain about it? Ever be thankful for your health and then eat a pan of cinnamon rolls? I did that this weekend.

It is important to rest physically, but I know people who get minimal breaks and run long days to get everything done. Ultimately the answer to fatigue is to rest. Stop doing what you are doing, and you will eventually feel more rested. But if there is no end in sight to your physical work, spiritual rest is even more important. A spiritually rested heart can make up for a lack of a physically rested body.

Unfortunately, if you stop doing the things that make you feel spiritually connected you can drift further away. I am not suggesting that you stop trying to communicate with God just because you do not hear from Him. I am suggesting that you throw yourself a curve. The bible speaks of a moment by moment level of trust. The Israelites were given manna from heaven, but only one day was given at a time. If they took more than they needed, it spoiled.

Like them, I tend to add time and wants to the moment by moment principle. I may worry about today, but then I will add the next 365 or so days on for good measure. On a fairly consistent basis I will add the past 365 days or so too - just to top it off. If I am not careful all of my worry or doubt or self-reliance ends up looking a little like someone trying to balance spinning plates. This practice is what gets tiring to me. If I want spiritual rest, I have to seek it. If I am alone in this struggle, I am happy for you. If, however, you are like me, I have a suggestion.

If you normally pray at your kitchen table, go outside. If silently reading the bible has become mundane, listen to an audible version or just read out loud. If your mind wanders while you pray, join the club. But maybe try writing your prayer requests out instead.

Don’t underestimate the importance of physical and spiritual rest.

I am guilty of limiting God by trying to fit Him into my own mind and routines. Don’t do that.

Challenge: The verse says “Come to me…” That requires flow toward God, not just toward habits that I have developed. Change the routine. Work, but rest. Pray, but listen more than talk. Find rest.

Rick Claiborn