I got home from work today with a stiff neck, a ridiculously bad headache, a shiver that runs to my core, and total exhaustion. It's cold, in case you haven't noticed. So all I wanted to do when I got home was put on my pajamas and crawl under a blanket for an hour or so.
Which I did, for the next ten hours. I haven't slept like that in years. This happens from time to time. I go and go and go and push myself without really resting much and eventually I just crash. The body, especially an aging one, can only go so long.
We're like that with God, too. We push ourselves spiritually, constantly over-stretching ourselves, trying to get by on the rest and refreshing we got months ago, and eventually we just crash.
If I rested regularly and took care of my body's needs for downtime on a daily or weekly basis, I wouldn't come to a point where I stopped functioning for while. If I took care of my spiritual hungers and needs on the same regular basis, I wouldn't get to a point where I just stopped working and sort of ran on fumes. I would always be alert, ready to be used if the need arises, sensitive to God and what He's saying, and attentive to opportunities that come my way.
I really think this is the reason that so many of life's little situations and stressful issues become obstacles for us. These things like choices and decisions that should be simple, no-brainers turn into huge mountains that cripple us because we aren't alert and healthy enough to hear and know God's counsel on the matter. So we start to rely on the "fumes", the parts of ourselves that kick in when we're in survival mode, and the parts that are most easily influenced by doubts and confusion. It takes strength and stamina to run the race and we have to stay in shape in order to perform well and fend off those confusions.
So, sleep well, folks. I'm on watch for the next few hours, apparently. It's all good, though. Maybe I'll catch some of the Meg Ryan marathon that's on the Estrogen Network.
