It has been a looong winter for those of us living in the Midwest. Words like “polar vortex” have become a common phrase and I get excited when temperatures reach 20 degrees. I’m tired of the snow, the cold, the freezing wind chills, & the gray skies. Life seems dreary and monotonous. I go to work, do my job, pick up kids, cook supper, help with homework, wash/fold laundry and clean up. Then exhausted by 10 p.m., I melt into bed….only to wake up and start all over again. I’ve felt tired, unmotivated and like I’m running on empty. I’ve thought – how can I be SO busy yet feel SO unfulfilled? Any of this sound familiar?
Well, I had a light-bulb moment when I attended our church’s women’s retreat last weekend. Our entire weekend was based on Proverbs 11:25 – “A generous person prospers; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” We were pampered in every way and I knew I’d leave physically refreshed. And though physical refreshment was welcomed, I realized the writer was referencing a deeper kind of refreshment, once I reflected on the verse. We can see this by taking a look at one of Jesus’ daily self disciplines.
Mark 1:35 – “And early in the morning, while it was still dark, he arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there.”
Luke 5:16 – “But He Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.”
Luke 6: 12 – “And it was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.”
Jesus’ days were filled from dawn to dusk; teaching, discipling, traveling, healing and even feeding 5000 people. He spent his days giving of himself. He knew his deep need to spend time with his heavenly Father on a daily basis if he was to fill all those needs. This discipline allowed him to be poured into, renewed and refreshed SO THAT he could pour into the lives of others. God did not intend for us to manage our days on our own & running on fumes. As children of the King, we have a unique opportunity to come to Him as empty vessels and be filled. In fact He anxiously waits to pour into us.
It’s no wonder that I’ve been tired and unmotivated. I let my busyness get the best of me and let my time with God slip. By loosing out on my time with God – I was spiritually parched and in turn it filtered into the physical and emotional aspects of my life. I’m so thankful that our God is steadfast even when we drift!
Lord, thank you for our daily bread. Lead us and challenge us in your Word. I ask that you refresh us so that we may refresh others. May we ask – What is God’s job for me? Who am I to make a difference in today? Who can I refresh? Lord, remind us that there are no interruptions in our day – only opportunities.
