THE LAW OF TIREDNESS
Mark 6:30-32
It is a state of weariness. A state of wishing for sleep or rest. As humans, we sometimes feel tired or the need for rest. Life by all standard will pose to us daily challenges to confirm our status as part of the living. Note: Only the dead are exempted from life challenges. However, spiritual tiredness is weighty. It’s a state of being a security risk to oneself and those one is responsible for e.g. Family, Team, and groups’ e.t.c. It’s a state where one’s sensitivity and catching spiritual signals is weak. Don’t forget that, the enemy will only sow tares when men sleep. It can be either spiritually or physically [Matthew 13:25].
Spiritual fatigue is a sign that one is running out of grace [God’s divine enablement]. Once a man is out or short of grace…flesh and struggle will set in and it’s certain in most cases that the arm of flesh will fail him except mercy prevails. It could also be a result of low level of unction. Or when one places too much emphasis on service rather than relationship with God. Serving God without God is service in the flesh. If one does this, weariness will soon set in. Finally, it may set in because you fail to take the needed rest from your labours!
When you are tired, you cant achieve much, if any. The enemy can take advantage of your weariness and do you physical or spiritual harm. When you find yourself in such situation, there are two things to do. One, seek the Lord. Run to him for help. He says:
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
The scripture above is emphatic about the need to seek for help. Come to him, he will help you. Restoration is sure with the Lord. Your strength will be renewed. The second thing to do is to deliberately take time out to rest. In our text, the Lord himself organised a retreat for the disciples solely for the purpose of rest.
There are times you need to do this. If you are physically exhausted, take time off from the hustle and bustle of life. Two days! A week! Or more! Rest. The Almighty himself rested. Jesus rested. Who are you not to rest? You can’t finish all the work. If you collapse and die, someone else will do the job. If you die on the job, all they will do is give you a minute silence or the so called befitting burial. As a pastor, if you die, the church will have another pastor, but your wife will not have another husband. Even if she is lucky enough to have another husband, your children cannot have another father! Watch out! Take time to rest. Learn from the eagle. When weariness comes in, the eagle takes a retreat, rests, rejuvenate and comes back fully restored.
REFLECTION: Are you tired? Take time out to rest.
