If it wears you out, you might be trying to get too much out of it.
These words formed themselves into a complete sentence and a pregnant thought last week, as I wrestled with weariness. There are many forms of tired, aren’t there? There’s tired from comforting a waking toddler multiple times a night, there’s tired from putting in extra hours on home projects, there’s tired from studying late into the night, there’s tired from strain at work and strain on relationships, and there’s the tired of being 33 weeks pregnant. But there’s also the weariness that comes from trying to get life out of something that was never meant to give you life; the exhaustion of chasing after anything other than God himself.
You might not easily think of yourself as an idolator; I don’t. I don’t worship a false god, an inanimate object, and really, I’ve even moved past putting my hope in possessions and belongings. Sometimes I can really convince myself that I am not so idolatrous.
But then I consider this:
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
And it doesn’t feel light sometimes. Why?
Perhaps it is for you as it is for me: Sometimes I’m weary because I’m an idolator.
Some areas we may be looking to for fulfillment:
- a perfect routine
- social circles on the internet
- being informed on a topic
- expressing creativity
- not letting others down
- making friends
- eating right and staying healthy
- a clean house
- disciplined children
If it wears you out, you might be trying to get too much out of it.
These are some things that come to my mind when I look at my own life. While none of these are ignoble pursuits, the striving to find satisfaction or life from any of them leaves me tired, spent, and weighted down with a burden I was never meant to carry.
The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods.
-Psalm 16:4
We are tired, and we think we need more sleep.
We’re burnt out, and we think we need a vacation.
We’re depressed, and we think we’re hopeless.
Instead, the Lord grants us sleep and true REST in Christ’s work on the cross.
Instead, the Lord gives us a reprieve and renewal through the promises of His Word.
Instead, the Lord offers us joy and hope in His faithfulness.
Friend, do you feel the way Jesus described Martha in Luke 10, vexed and working herself silly to find fulfillment in her diligence and duties…
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
-Luke 10:41-42
You see, not even wonderful service to our Lord gives LIFE unless it is Him we seek first. We are all idol-factories, skilled at wringing out any thing, any opportunity, any relationship..in hopes of experiencing satisfaction and life. Only Jesus was meant to be “the Way, the Truth, the Life.” (John 14:6)
Let us, once again, put off the deceptive promises of unworthy idols, empty pursuits, and self-centered means of satisfaction…and look to He who “came that [we] may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
Take heart, receive rest, and live abundantly today, friends!
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I really needed to read this today – it really spoke to the place where I am spiritually – dealing with idols and things that are sucking away my energy. Thank you so much for this post. I plan to come back and read it once more as a part of my devotions.
Thanks for your comment and for dropping by! Praying you have discernment today in these things!
Yes, so very true! It’s amazing what can become an idol, even good things. But only He can fill that hole in our heart and when He doesn’t, we cannot rest. Thanks, Ruth!
So true, Christina…not all good things are the BEST things!
Ruth, it seems we are in the same train of thought lately. I have been feeling weary by the noise and busyness of the world, but maybe mostly by social networking. Though there are only written words, the noise could get “loud” and I want to retreat from all that. In fact, this is what I’ll be writing about tomorrow.
It is noisy out there, Rina. Some of it is so encouraging, but much of it is very distracting. May God give us the wisdom to discern and cling to what is TRUE.
Ruth, thank you for your words that speak straight to my heart, as usual! Thank you for truth and reminders I needed to hear right after my husband told me ive been plain old weary for the past year.
Becky, I pray you have true rest today!
God showed me (when I had kids) that one of my biggest idols is the concept of leisure time. I never knew that until my time was no longer my own! It is a constant struggle to balance the biblical meaning of rest with my manufactured desires of ‘down-time’ – your post is very timely for me. Thank you!
I so relate to the idolatry of comfort and leisure, Melissa. We don’t often think of that as an area of idolatry, but when we see how we act when we don’t get what we think “we deserve”…it’s quite revealing, isn’t it?
Ouch… this one really hit home! I didn’t really think about that being an idol but it has become one in my life. I have been acting in a very negative way when I haven’t had some time that I thought I was going to have….
Oh I totally relate to what Melissa said. I tend to feel as though I “need” leisure time or that I would be more peaceful if I had leisure time. Oh if only I could snuggle up with a nice copy of Spurgeon’s sermons for an hour or two with a delicious cup of coffee and lit candles around me… then I would be so peaceful…. Ha! yeah right. This type of thing can definitely be an idol for me. I have been learning to find joy in the Lord’s providence (i.e. not letting me have these peaceful moments very often) because he is there with me. Thanks for this wonderful post Ruth!
I agree, Jess, that sometimes we have a picture of what it is we need, just to learn that the Lord is calling us to perseverance and sometimes suffering. So often the joy and rest that we receive comes in the midst of the most unlikely conditions of receiving rest.
This was really good…God has been showing me a similar message through other things I’m reading and studying too. I’m reading through the Revive Our Hearts Quiet Place devotional and one recent question she had as part of an entry was: What are some things that are competing for your love, wanting the place in your life reserved for God alone? My list included some of the same things you mentioned. Trusting in the Lord to help me take the steps necessary to smash my idols…
Kim, that sounds like a neat devotional. Thankful that God is at work in each of our lives!
Ruth, I believe that this has helped me call out one particular idol in my life. I am a little bit of an over-achiever and can’t stand to have anything less than an A in any class, even though I’m almost graduated from college and have a husband and sister to care for. I sometimes put my success with my teachers and classes above anything else in my mind and priorities. Thanks…I’ll have to read this again and think about it some more.
Samantha, I’m rejoicing with you, as you recognize God’s refining hand in your life. Thanks for letting me know how this encouraged you!
Ruth, I followed this from Pinterest and really appreciate your words and thoughts. A few years ago, my family and I were living in a new country (we are missionaries), I had three little ones in diapers, and I was so soul-weary from the isolation and demands. Then I heard Erwin Gray say, “A FALSE GOD IS NEVER SATISFIED.” It rocked my world. I was serving God. I was in the state I was in because I was following God. Yet I came to understand that my understanding of God Himself was false. I was worshiping God, but my god was actually made in my own image and the culture I grew up in. Wow. It was transformational. THe Lord then said, “Return to ME and I will heal you.” (All over the book of Jeremiah!) I am on a life-long journey to know and love and serve the Lord and to grow in His grace; because now I do know it is true, regardless of our circumstances, our God truly does give rest. Thank you for this probing post and for how it has encouraged my heart today! Sweet blessings to you! AJ
What a beautiful testimony of how he calls us to worship in ONLY, Arabah Joy. Thank you!
I am so glad you said this; thank you for sharing it!
So refreshed by this. New to Grace Laced – grateful to have found another sister in Christ.
It’s lovely to have you, Brook. Blessings to you this day!
What a great thought this evening, Thank you, Ruth!
You’re so welcome, Kendra.!
Blessings to you!
thank you for this post. i am weary with teens. weary with single mom navigation, with teens. weary with realtionships that are not life giving. weary with decision making. weary….. your words were the truth i needed this day. thank you
Bonnie, I’m growing in this day by day as I have the same situations that you describe here. God is teaching me to look beyond the life-draining situations and to the life-giving Provider. Hope you are resting in Him this weekend!
I am a day behind but this is what I needed to hear this morning! Isn’t it wonderful how God knows what we need and when we need it! I think I have been trying to obtain what only Christ can give in a certain area of my life and feel like I have been doing circles with it for so long. Thanks for this reminder.
Absolutely, Deb. He is our provider…at just the right time.
Oh, I feel your words hitting me! I keep having those thoughts too: If I could just get more organized, get more sleep, even read my Bible more, then I wouldn’t feel like life is so hard. I could be “on top of it.” Somehow, I’m still missing the better choice, struggling to figure out how to stop struggling!
Danielle, it’s so true…that we keep thinking that we can overcome our weakness, when what the Lord desires if for us to confess and embrace our weakness, and desperately fall on his grace!
I am so thankful I came across your post today! It’s amazing how we sometimes stumble across exactly what we need to keep ourselves focused on what is true while getting through the steps of daily life. Thank you Ruth! You are appreciated!
That blesses my heart, Erin, to know that the Lord used my struggles to speak into your life at just the right time. Blessings to you!