Today’s post is personal- something that’s on my heart. I woke up tired, partly because I didn’t get enough sleep and partly because I was empty. Do you know the feeling? It’s the kind of empty that sees the last of your reserves. The kind of empty that is deep and tired. I had coffee and then a little more. I read my Bible and prayed. I jumped into some work. At one point I looked down at my nails and the thought occurred to me that I should take some time to relax and paint them. I brushed it away and kept busy. Then I stopped. Somewhere between my tiredness and the computer screen, my heart was drawn back to my morning prayers. I didn’t need to relax, I didn’t need to do my nails, or have more coffee. My heart needed to spend more time with Jesus.
It’s where we look and who we look to
Anxiety and perfectionism, I have been on speaking terms with both. God has changed my heart in a lot of ways as I’ve grown in him. Sometimes, those old patterns can make an appearance – like an unwanted watermark on a new creation. God is so faithful to remind me that the faith in my heart is still his work, and therefore my heart will ultimately be in a state of unfulfilled rest until I fix my eyes on the author of my faith. It’s a lesson I think I’ve learned a hundred times over (and I’ll probably need reminding again): when I am hungry, anxious, and empty, He is the one with the food and the peace.
It’s more than relaxing
A long time ago, I was a huge advocate for self-care. Don’t get me wrong, rest is important! But there is a rest we simply cannot give ourselves. We can plan the perfect day, relax with our favorite activities, and take time to recharge- but nothing will feed our soul like spending time in the presence of the Lord.
Are you empty?
Are you tired?
Are you anxious?
Let that empty be used to bring you closer to the Savior today. A verse that is close to my heart is Isaiah 55:1-2
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.” (ESV).
Here we see God pleading with his people, begging them not to go after that which does not satisfy. He wants them in covenant relationship with him, he wants them to eat from the table he prepared (and would someday ultimately fulfill in the Messiah!). We do the same today, there are so many things that promise to satisfy our spiritual hunger. We’re surrounded by a world that promises us peace, happiness, and fulfillment through yoga, meditation, education, knowledge, hobbies, self-care, therapy, a spouse, homeownership, children, a career… some of these things can be a blessing from God (we can tackle some of the issues around yoga and meditation another time). But God’s gifts apart from a relationship with him- they will never fill us up. Those things were never made to be the source of regeneration. When taken out of proper context (a gift from a Holy God) it’s like eating one of those realistic looking plastic fruits at the craft store. It’s not what we were made to consume for salvation. Go on social media for five minutes and see all of the content that centers around growth and healing. The whole world is looking for spiritual food that lasts. They want to be whole, unbroken, and healed. But unless Jesus Christ is at the center, it’s not what we were meant to consume for salvation and true wholeness.
It’s for today’s tired
Dear one, so loved by God, there’s an invitation to come to His table. Here we find the gospel (that gives us that sure footing!), peace that passes all understanding, and our daily bread- the kind that gives you exactly what you need for today.
