Even When, and Because, We’re Tired

“And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?.. Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him...

“And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

“That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons…

“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him,  and they found him and said to him, ‘Everyone is looking for you.’ And he said to them, ‘Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.’” Mark 1:21-26,29-38

Immediately. Immediately again. That evening. All who were sick. The whole city. Many. Very early in the morning. Everyone. Let us go. We feel the press, the tyranny the urgent. There was much ‘immediate’ every day for Jesus. His was no cushy life, no rolling over and pulling covers over the day’s demands. His was a heart thumping with, and a life fully yielded to, His Father’s will: be all there for every needy person, each challenging situation, within His parameters, according to His plan.

He taught and healed and spent Himself for others along His way and into the night. Then He arose before dawn to pray. Only alone, and quiet, could He receive and rely on the spiritual direction, fuel, wisdom, and stamina His Lord would give. Here was He refreshed, and sustained.

The fatigue of Jesus did not slow or alter the mission of Jesus. Just as His food was to do the will of His Father, His rest was in staying in the center of His will. Crowds and requests clamored everywhere, but when He sought His Father, He knew where to stay, what to do, when to go. This day, following His lead, centered in His wake, He would not be pulled off course by the demands of the begging. (John 4:34)

Even when, and because, we’re tired, we need time with Him. Even when, and because, we’re tired, we’re called to serve His will. Even when, and because, we’re tired, we keep on. The Lord Jesus is our cause, our sustenance, our end. He is sufficient, and always enough.

Lord, keep me following Your example and Your lead, even and especially when I am tired. May my prayer, attitude, and deeds exalt the truth that You are my All in all.