Too tired?

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.

(Matthew 26:41) Jesus was about to be arrested, led to the cross, the climax of HIStory was about to take place . . . yet His closest friends, Peter, James and John, fell asleep! Even at this crucial time, the flesh was so weak that the disciples could not keep their eyes open. The spirit indeed is willing ... - The mind, the heart is ready and able to bear these trials, but the flesh, the natural feelings, through the fear of danger, is weak, and will be likely to lead us astray when the trial comes. The disciples were about to see their promised Messiah go to His horrible death. They had expected a King to rise and redeem them . . . rescue the Jewish nation, yet Jesus had another fate. No doubt their faith would be tested! How many times have we missed out on a blessing because we were simply too tired? How often have we skipped out on an opportunity to serve because we felt we needed rest? Understand now, rest is good and needed, but many times we sell ourselves short simply because we do not realize what our bodies are capable of handling . . . with the Spirit as our guide! Everything will not always go our way. At times we will seem defeated. However, victory is at hand . . . push just one more step! We must train ourselves to be ready . . . to go the distance . . . to not always give in to the temptation to stop. I often say . . . "I will have plenty of time to rest tomorrow", or over the weekend, or next month when this or that is over. However, I have also learned over the years to yes, work hard, but also to plan the rest and to play hard as well! The body does need rest, but not as much as we believe. When I was running track in school, the coach would often tell us that until we are completely exhausted, we have not given it all. If we had enough left to sprint in the finish, then we held back. Ministry is a training process . . . it is a competition against the evils of this world. We must prepare, be fit for battle, and ready to fight. We are on the winning side! We do not want to find ourselves at the finish line with leftover energy to spend! Be encouraged by Paul's words to Timothy . . .

But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day —and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

(2 Timothy 4:5-8)