‘Jesus wants me to take a nap!’
The year 2020 has brought about a lot of emotions for me. Mainly being tired. Tired physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I know that others around me have been experiencing the same thing that I have been. But I recently had a conversation about being church tired. If you’ve never been church tired, then you’ve never really experienced what it means to be truly tired. I wanted to address the touchy subject. Growing up as a church kid, being tired wasn’t an option when it came to God’s House. As a teenager when I started hanging out on Saturday nights, it never mattered how late I came into the house. I was up and dressed for church. I knew not to complain or have an attitude about it. It was just a fact of life.
But as an adult, I wanted to serve God with all that I am. I didn’t know any other way. Sunday, Tuesday, Friday, and whatever other days I was needed I was at church serving. I was there sometimes even when my presence wasn’t required. If I even thought about being tired I was immediately rebuked and told that I wasn’t doing enough. I wasn’t praying enough. I wasn’t seeking the Lord enough. How can you serve from an empty cup? This was something that I asked the Lord and He led me to Psalms 127:1-2.
Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to[a] those he loves.
I read that it was like ‘Jesus wants me to take a nap!’ How long was this even an option?!?!?! No, but real. After reading this, I wonder why we put so much pressure on ourselves and others to continue to serve when we aren’t operating at full capacity? Why don’t we ask each other how we really are doing while we are in ministry?
Let’s start normalizing a few things for those that are in ministry:
Saying No-if you are not up to a task. Please say no WITHOUT OFFERING AN EXPLANATION. That’s it.
Allowing yourself to take a break if you need time to get away be honest and communicate that to those that are around you. Scheduling the breaks in advance is very helpful and gives you something to look forward
Checking in with yourself-this is wildly important because you need to know when to say ‘no mas’. You need to know when you feel like you will hit a brick wall.
Getting Better and Exercise- there are way too many people on the sick and shut-in list for preventable things. I’m just going to sit that here.
Don’t allow yourself to become burned out. Ask for help. Seek time for yourself to just sit in the presence of the Lord. I will leave you with this from Matthew 6:34.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I look up, He looks down.
Evelyn Denise
