Whatever the need, God is enough…

The night before last, I slept nine hours and woke filled with energy. Even so, I prayed for the Lord’s strength for the day and finished well, praising Him. Last night, I didn’t sleep well. The tasks of moving and fitting furniture in new spaces kept running through my head. I woke tired and wanted to go back to sleep, but those tasks will not get done all by themselves.

Again, I’m praying for God’s strength, yet realize I need an attitude fix. Does having His energy only happen when I’m well rested? Or is it more than that? Can being well rested mean I’m working in my own strength? This fatigue may be one of God’s teaching moments, and for me, a big lesson in how He works. First He invites me…

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30)

These speak of two words for burden or labor. One is about a heavy load — like boxes of books or dishes, and those big bins of fabric. The other is those light boxes — but they are few and still require a trip up a flight of stairs.

It would be nice if a few friends with muscles and time to spare dropped by to help. That would be a welcome illustration of His easy yoke. But is the application of this invitation not so much the ease in the physical stress of moving, but the feeling of being overwhelmed with so much to do?

I recall the story of the child who would not sit down in the back seat of the family car. After much effort, mom got the child to sit but he said, “I’m still standing up on the inside.” This opens my understanding. Could I go through the motions of not complaining with words, yet still be “whining on the inside” as I do what is difficult? These words from Jesus are an answer…

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4–5)

The fruit He is talking about is fruit that only His Spirit can produce. Even if I am not verbal with my inner attitude, when I am not abiding in Christ I cannot be bearing His fruit either. It must come from the heart, the inner person of the Holy Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22–23)

While producing fruit drains energy from the tree, this fruit comes from a Source whose energy and power have no end. The branch may become fatigued, but again, rest is also promised. You provide rest for my soul — my mind, will, and emotions even as my body is tired.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

PRAY: Lord, again I pray for a Spirit-filled day, not based so much on this need for bodily or emotional energy, but more based on my desire to glorify You and to demonstrate, as You allow it, that You are always God — who is enough.

Later: As soon as these words were recorded and prayed over, that tiredness vanished. Again, God is always enough.