When You Grow Tired

It’s been a double-dose of iron pills kind of day for the past few weeks. The last time I left a post it was during our busiest week of the year at work. By that Friday night I was asleep by 8:30pm and slept almost 10 hours. The next morning I helped for a few hours at the USO, and came home and took a four-hour nap. The get-up-and-go does not have an endless supply anymore. As my next decade approaches one starts to earn a new respect and perspective on the heroes of the Bible like Abraham and Sarah who having reached an age of earned rest, were led instead on a path that would have challenged a younger couple with fresh legs and energetic optimism. Instead, the unlikely couple of seasoned years were chosen to enter into a faith covenant that would grow a nation with more members than the stars in the sky. I just need a little more iron in the blood to propel me forward, and then I can tackle the extra projects at work, squeeze in a load of laundry, and engage in ministry as the Lord reveals. Wait! I’m too tired to cook dinner much less grow a nation! Couldn’t my ministry be licking stamps? Surely the risks of paper cuts and dry tongue would compensate against the calls to change a lifestyle or an opinion held firm. Yes, I’m sure the call to grow a nation is for someone other than me. God called people who were too old, too young, too handsome, too obscure, too mean, or too full of doubt, but not one who was too tired.

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, Your will is infallible. We find it improbable to think that we could be a representative of your choosing. We find it intimidating to think that you may put your trust in our gifts. We find it too easy to think that we have an excuse to decline your call. Help our will come into measure with your vision, help our lives follow your direction, and help our doubts fall towards your assurance. In our quiet center, we know that you would never send us away from you. Help us quiet our minds, our fears, and our disbelief. If we become tired, use our rest to increase our willingness to dream and be led. Amen.