We all struggle with fatigue. I am not the only one that finds herself working extremely hard yet remaining unsatisfied. Acknowledging this, I confessed my biggest reality in the article I wrote last July: I am sooo tired. I confessed that “[s]ome days I come home from a long day at school or work and can happily know that I accomplished everything on my to-do list,” but that “[e]ven so, as I am getting ready for bed and thinking about my loved ones, I realize that nothing I did today solved the world's problems.” In this article, I spoke of searching for rest in a variety of ways. Over the past six months I have practiced “finding rest,” and in doing so, God revealed to me the source of my exhaustion—my mindset.
God did not promise us an easy life. He did, however, promise us rest. The writers of Matthew 11:28-30 wrote, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” So why are we—as followers of Christ—still so tired? If you’re like me, it is because you have not yet fully allowed your mind to be transformed.
My mind was so set on what I needed to do to serve those around me. My mind was so set on what I needed to do to finally feel like I had made a difference. I told myself that I needed to be my absolute best so that I could be sure that when the time came, I would be able to pursue any path God guided me toward. I continued pushing through task after task, day after day, month after month, preparation for the plan God had in store for me. Although my mind was focused on furthering God’s kingdom, I was missing the whole point.
The point is this: God equips the called.
Even though I was driving in the direction the Lord was guiding me, I was refusing to let Him step into the driver’s seat. Even though my foot was on the pedal, without Him in control, my car was simply idling. For this reason, I was running out of gas without any forward progress.
Instead of stubbornly focusing on what we as individuals need to do in order to further God’s kingdom, all we need to practice is how to get out of God’s way! In order to truly serve our God and see change in this world, we need to let Him do His work through us. We need to trust that He knows what He is doing.
Allowing God to take control, especially when you’re tired and anxious, is an extremely difficult task. However, we need not be discontent with our ability to live out His plans for us. God is not forced to search this world for a man equipped to complete the task ahead of him, because God has the amazing power to equip the called. How do we allow God to equip us? By stepping aside and allowing God’s overwhelming power and undying love to live within us.
“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’” – Psalm 46:10
The writers of scripture tell of God’s power to prepare us for His plan: “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8).
Most importantly, however, the writers of scripture remind us that God’s power transcends any misstep or failure we might have. “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2). Although our failures may seem big today, there is nothing we can do to destroy the plan set forth by our Almighty God.
By stepping aside and allowing God’s overwhelming power and undying love to lead our decisions, we can take the pressure off of ourselves and learn to experience true spiritual rest. By relinquishing control, we can be reminded that God does not call us to action and leave us to fend for ourselves. By trusting in Him, speaking to Him, and listening to Him, we can once again feel restored through His persisting power and love.