Walking With Christ

Galatians 6:9  And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.(ESV)

1 Corinthians 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.(ESV)

Spiritual fatigue is a real thing.  It’s interesting to note that fatigue, or exhaustion, can be associated with every aspect of our lives.  The good news is that people can adjust to exhaustion in one area by pulling energy from another area.  The bad news is that the reverse is also true.  One empty tank will syphon reserves from another tank until the entire system is empty.  This can make it a lot harder to figure out where system drain is coming from.  It could be bills piling up.  It could be that you’re emotionally stretched too thin.  It could be that work isn’t going great.  It could be a lot of small things.  It could be one big thing.  The point is that we can spend a lot of time and energy tracking down different symptoms and never actually find the source of the problem.

There are times that the only way to actually see the problem is to let the system drain completely and then begin an honest inventory.  It’s times like this that we either lean on our own understanding or we learn to trust in the God we serve.

Psalm 23:4-6  (4)Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  (5)You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  (6)Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.(ESV)

I’ve said this before, but I need to hear it again.  The valley of the shadow of death.  Right on the doorstep of death.  This is where the table is prepared.  This isn’t a moment of defeat.  It’s a moment of rest to allow us to take the time to recognize where our true provision comes from.  This is where the Lord invites us to sit down with Him, in the presence of our enemies, and have a nice, leisurely and refreshing meal.  This, when we find the end of ourselves, is where we are blessed to truly see how closely the enemy watches us in every moment of our lives.  We are far too often completely unaware of the presence of the enemy because we are so fully blessed and covered by the presence of our God.  The enemy is constantly stalking us.  The enemy knows that our protector, our shepherd, will never falter or tire.  He is just hoping that we will get tired or bored and wander away from the flock or the path set before us.

No, getting tired is not a bad thing.  It’s the perfect time for us to be reminded of who we serve.  To be reminded of how faithful and true our God is to walk with us, even in the wilderness, softly calling us back home with every step.  It’s amazing the difference that a good meal and a nap can make on our perspective in life.

So, if you’re tired, look around you.  There is likely a table prepared with you in mind.