A Time For Everything

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

The yawns escaping my body feel deeper than the Mariana Trench—an unwelcome reminder of how incredibly exhausting this week has been. Life keeps speeding by without my consent. I’m reluctant to admit that I need rest, but I’m burned out, weary to the depths of my being. My Bible lies open in front of me, and every time I begin reading a verse, I stop midsentence to let out yet another whole-body yawn.

On days like these, I wonder how I can love God and have a flourishing walk with him when I can hardly read a verse without my body begging for rest. I am spiritually dry, and though the source of life is right before my eyes, I find myself glazing over with drowsiness.

Have you been there? Have you ever been so physically tired that it resulted in a time of spiritual dryness? Maybe you’re in a season where waking up early to have alone time with God is nearly impossible, or maybe slowing down your schedule feels like a Herculean feat. You’re spiritually thirsty, yet you can’t seem to find time or energy to gulp down God’s Word.

My oldest son has a habit of going the entire day without drinking a glass of water. By bedtime, he’s dehydrated, and his body signals his need for water with a headache. This is the same son who balked at taking a nap when he was a toddler because he didn’t want to miss out on any fun. I used to remind him that he’d enjoy the day more if he rested; now I regularly remind him to make sure he’s drinking—often placing a glass of cold water right in front of him.

King Solomon writes that there is a time for everything under the sun (see Ecclesiastes 3:1). Sometimes we need to take a nap instead of pressing forward. Sometimes we need to take a deep breath instead of hustling onward. Sometimes we need to let go of something we are clinging tightly to so we can receive more of Christ.

When we are spiritually dry from physical exhaustion, we may need to treat ourselves like a reluctant toddler and set everything aside for a brief time to take a nap or drink a big glass of water. We can close our eyes with our minds fixed on God, who keeps the world spinning when we are sleeping (see Psalm 121:4-5; Colossians 3:1-2).

There are times we need to stop what we’re doing and take a couple of slow, deep breaths. Sometimes we need to ask for an hour of alone time so we can pray undistracted. We may need to shift our evening routine and go to bed earlier so we can wake up refreshed and ready to drink in God’s Word.

Today, as my yawns keep escaping my mouth, instead of pressing on, I’m pressing pause so I can press into Jesus and the rest he gives. There is a time and season for everything; today, it’s time to rest in my Savior. Will you join me?

Word before World There is a time for everything, including taking a nap!

Grow in Grace Growing in grace can be found by resting in what Jesus has done for you and acknowledging you need physical as well as spiritual rest.