Monday, March 18, 2013

Unsettled and Discombobulated

I've spent this morning feeling unsettled, discombobulated, and tired.  People have noticed I'm a little "off" today and I've been blaming this on exhaustion and the weather (for those of you not in Michigan it is snowing/raining/ugly out today).  It's been one of those "I wish I could pull the covers over my head and sleep the day away" days.

Yet I couldn't shake the feeling that this was more than being tired.  Too often I use being tired as an excuse.  An excuse to not deal with or figure out what's behind the exhaustion.  What emotion, conviction, or struggle is causing these unsettled feelings?

And when I couldn't get past these feelings today, I did what I should have done to start with and what I should always do: I prayed.

Immediately, I felt peace.  And I knew.  I knew that God had been trying to get my attention all morning and I was too stubborn and busy to pay attention.

I'm so thankful that he doesn't give up.

I was walking across campus while I was praying and it was the best part of my day.  God used those few minutes to speak to my heart and open my eyes to why I was tired and how I could combat the emotional and spiritual exhaustion I was feeling.

The exhaustion was due in part to the weather, but since I can't change the weather, God showed me that what I need to be doing is finding ways to bring joy into my life: I need to be serving more.

Serving brings me joy. It takes the focus off of me and how tired/drained/busy I am and how crummy the weather is and puts the focus on other people and on Jesus.

That's where it needs to be.

My heart is settled again.  And my eyes are not focused on me right now.  Instead, I'm looking toward Jesus, keeping my eyes on him, and looking for opportunities to serve.

What about you?  How are you battling exhaustion and the crummy weather?