How many of us came home tonight, thinking, “Hallelujah! It’s Friday night! I’m so tired!” Well, there’s tired – and there’s TIAARRRDD! Aiden spent a couple of nights with us. Last night, he was playing so well that we just let him stay up. I’m sure that Steve was thinking that “if he stays up late – he’ll sleep late in the morning. Right?” Well, with a five year old – not necessarily, but we did let him stay up. All of a sudden, we realized that it had gotten quiet. That boy was asleep on the floor, He had played hard all day. With good reason, he had conked – he was tiaarrrdd!
Some of us may feel the same way about our work in the church. We may have been baptized many years ago. We’ve taught Sunday School classes from Cradle Roll to Teenagers to Adult Classes. We’ve cooked hundreds of casseroles for potlucks, and served many meals to families who have lost a loved one. We’ve sat up with those who were sick. We’ve attended singings at the nursing homes, mailed thousands of cards, and invited the “visiting preacher” for supper. We may have good reason to be “tiaarrrdd!” But – does that mean that we’ve done our part, and we’re done? – I’ve overheard some say, “Now, it’s time for those young ones to teach Bible classes. We’ve done our due.” But, can we ever “stop” working for the Lord? I’ve heard the saying, “Christians are like airplanes – If you stop, you drop!” No, I don’t believe that we can ever get to the point where we stop doing all we can to serve the Lord. Like Paul, we must “fight the good fight, finish the race, and remain faithful.” Then, we’ll be one of the ones that Paul said would join him and, also, receive that crown of life. (II Timothy 4:7-8)
As I went to wake Aiden up last night, I realized that he fell asleep coloring. He was still working on a book he’s making for Gammy. He was just burned out. So what should we do when we’re “burned out?”
Sometimes, we may have to think like Isaiah when he explained, ” Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” (Isaiah 40:30-31) We must remember to “not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.” (II Corinthians 4:16) We must pray as Jeremiah to “Restore us to You, O LORD, that we may be restored; Renew our days as of old” (Lamentations 5:21) We must “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2) Yes, we must “lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and be renewed in the spirit of our minds, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)
Remember, you’re not on the road to heaven alone. Your church family is there to prop you up and offer prayers on your behalf. There’s a difference between being tired and being tiaarrrdd! Don’t quit the race until it’s been won! God Bless, Courtney
Anen and Thank You!
Bless his heart. He was tiarrrrdddd. And probably up before 7 this morning.
Yep!