Resting in God

So another week has gone past, and I’m finding myself getting more and more used to calling Norwich home.

This week has found me rushing around quite a lot. On Tuesday, I drove the two and a half hours to Uppingham School so I could see the venue for the East Mids and Anglia Summer School. I was really impressed with it, and I am really looking forward to spending the week there for our Summer School. The weather was glorious, and hopefully it will be the same when we are there in August, but I’m sure we’ll have a blast either way. After meeting with Andrew (DYO East Mids), touring the campus and houses, and meeting some of the office staff, it was time to drive the two and a half hours back to Norwich. By the time I got back, I was ready to sit down and relax in front of the TV!

After the busyness of Tuesday, you would think I’d give myself a day to recover. Think again! I was back in the office at the normal time ready to work. In the morning I was working in the office, and in the afternoon we had a visit by the Chief Secretary and his wife. This was a good visit and we had lots of delicious home made cakes for the occasion.

But the day did not end there! After I finished in the office, I jumped back in the car to drive to Bourne for a community barbeque at an outdoor swimming pool. Another long drive, but definitely worth it! The weather was beautiful, sunny and hot, and I got to meet some great young people! I was very glad that I took my swimming gear – the pool was a create way to cool off. After a swim and a (very unregulated) game of pool volleyball, the food was ready and I was able to talk with some of the families from the area. Before the end of the evening, I was granted the opportunity to present 2 girls with their own Bibles as they were leaving the children’s group. After this presentation, I headed back to Norwich; another long drive, and a very late night!

While getting out and about this week has been good, it has also been very tiring. I’ve found myself yawning a lot in the office and getting up in the morning has been difficult. This tiredness has also made it hard to motivate myself to spend time in prayer and reading my Bible. But this is the most important thing to do.

Although it has been difficult to start my quiet time, afterwards I find that my strength has been renewed, and though I may still be physically tired,  I am more alert and ready to work. This reminded me of what Jesus says in Matthew 11:28: "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest” (MSG).

Life gets busy, which can wear us down and sap our energy. That’s what life does. And when it gets busy, it is easy to let our time with God be the first thing to suffer. But this should be the last thing we lose. When we spend time with God, He renews our strength. He fills us up so we can continue and do more than we ever thought possible.

“[God] energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind.” (Isaiah 40: 29 – 31, MSG).

So next time you become busy and tired, remember to rest in God and you will find you can continue and do even more.

What do you think? Have you ever experienced God renewing you at a time of extreme tiredness? Remember, you can leave your views here, on twitter or on Facebook!