If you are tired

Melissa Logsdon – September 3, 2024 1 Comment

I’m tired today. Are you? This past weekend was Labor Day Weekend and we had gorgeous–turn off the a/c and open the windows–kind of weather. For me, more time was spent outside enjoying nature, and gathering around tables with family for celebratory meals. I took time off from my normal work. I spent more time napping. I should feel refreshed. But I don’t. Can you relate? Maybe this is just an introvert problem: feeling exhausted after lots of time with people. So for all you introverts out there, this one’s for you! And for the extroverts reading this, I believe there is still something to be gained, so keep on reading!

In John 6, Jesus invites us into spending time with him for refreshment, comfort, nourishment. And, that is something I didn’t get enough of this weekend–time focused on Jesus’ presence with me. I got distracted. I like to pretend that I can multitask, but that is just a myth. I can switch back and forth between tasks but there’s still a bit of a bandwidth problem. And so, I come out of a “restful holiday” feeling worn out.

If I could really grasp the power that Jesus is offering in his invitation, I believe I would be able to be “content like a weaned baby on her mother’s lap” as Ron Simkins shared in a recent teaching. 

Rather I get stuck in a loop that I believe others can relate to as well. 

The loop goes like this:

Jesus says : Don’t focus on earthly/fleshly needs. Instead focus on God’s work. 

We say: Ok, what’s God’s work? I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work on it.

Jesus says: It’s to believe in Jesus.

We say: O, Ok. Well Jesus, what will you do for us?

Jesus says: It’s not what I do for you, it’s my presence with you. I am the bread of life. Be in an intimate relationship with me–let me comfort and nourish you. I am the real life. 

And we say: Yeah, but what can we DO? And what will YOU do? 

We just don’t get it, do we? Jesus is inviting us into a restful, comforting, nourishing/life-giving RELATIONSHIP, and we are looking for a TRANSACTIONAL relationship. 

I recently started reading and using this tool Breath as Prayer: Calm your anxiety, focus your mind, and renew your soul by Jennifer Tucker. This book has a one page devotional thought with scripture and then a breath prayer prompt. For example, on the page “Trade your worry for peace” on the inhale you are directed to pray to God “I give you all my burdens” and on the exhale “And you will give me rest”. I have found this resource to be a helpful tool to respond to Jesus’ invitation. I am still learning to break that unhelpful transactional loop and enter into Jesus’ life-giving presence.

Inhale: I GIVE YOU ALL MY BURDENS.

Exhale: AND YOU WILL GIVE ME REST.

For further study: 

Read John 6:27-63.

Check out Breath as Prayer: Calm your anxiety, focus your mind, and renew your soul by Jennifer Tucker. Available in the NCF Library.

–Melissa Logsdon, NCF Associate Pastor