My son, Sam, wasn’t feeling well after practice yesterday. He displayed symptoms that led me to believe he might be getting sick. He was continuing to do his homework and get things ready for school, but there were obvious signs he wasn’t up to speed.
We asked him how he felt so we could assess his situation. He said he had some body aches, which are common after lacrosse practice, and he also said he just felt sluggish. He told us he thinks it might be because he was not getting enough sleep, especially over the weekends. He came up with a game plan on his own to change his habits to ensure more sleep and overall improve his health. I told him I was proud of him for drawing these conclusions and for coming up with a plan to get more rest for his body.
How many of us are showing symptoms that our spiritual health isn’t where it needs to be? How many of us are not getting the spiritual “rest” we need each day? Time alone with the Lord and His Word are critical if we are to remain spiritually healthy. Just like our bodies need sleep to recharge and strengthen so we can battle sickness and stay strong, our spirit needs time to recharge and strengthen so we can be strong for the spiritual battles that come our way.
Are you displaying symptoms that should alert you to your need for a spiritual rest? Are you continuing to go about your daily tasks without the spiritual energy necessary to accomplish the tasks the Lord has put before you? Even Jesus, the Son of God, needed time alone to pray and fellowship with the Father so He could face what was before Him [Matthew 14:13; Mark 1:35; Luke 4:42]. If the Son of God needed this time, why should we think we don’t? Psalm 62:5 says,”Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.” Have you rested in Him today? If not, do you have a plan of action to make sure you are getting the spiritual rest you need each day? Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” Make it your plan to begin your day with the Father and everything else will fall into place.