Absolutely Exhausted

Does exhaustion even fully explain the condition that we are in right now?

We are exhausted because we care. We are exhausted because we want to fight for what's right but we aren't fully sure what that looks like practically right now. We are exhausted because, well, we aren't sure where to turn.

We are an exhausted society. Whether we've been oppressed our entire life or because we are waking up to the reality of the inequality that exists (No, the two are obviously not equal in pain and difficulty).

My friends are saying it, and your friends are saying it. We.Are.Tired.

We have been given two options;

Tread lightly because people are watching. Or, walk boldly because people are watching.

Which is it? (This question may be what is exhausting us most)

Jesus walked an estimated 3,100 miles during his three-year ministry. And, in His lifetime, possibly over 25,000 miles.

Jesus didn't walk to vacation spots. He didn't walk to find a secure place to hideout until the turmoil of His day blew over. He didn't walk around the difficult areas.

Jesus walked directly to people.

Matthew 9:35, "Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness."

But in order for someone to spend their entire life walking towards people, one has to understand that people are the goal. What am I saying? I'm saying that we should find our exhaustion in the pursuit of people. We should grow tired in fighting for their well-being, for their dignity, and for their heart to know Jesus. Going a bit further, this means that we shouldn't be exhausted right now in fighting for our own protection or our own agenda.

Jesus walked. I can imagine that His feet were strong but a bit offensive in appearance to our standards today.

Mark 6:56, "Wherever He entered villages, or cities, or countryside, they were laying the sick in the market places, and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were being cured."

Today requires a heart like Jesus, right? How can we be sure that our heart is aligned with Jesus' heart so that we don't have to live with so many questions?

Jesus' life was an overflow of His perfect heart. He knew when to tread lightly and when to walk boldly. And He gives us the same instinct and direction through the Holy Spirit for today.

John 14:16, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever."

How do we walk towards people in love from a place of exhaustion?

Honestly? We learn to embrace the exhaustion, not fight it. Exhaustion doesn't have to disable us. It is designed to help us recognize our need for God in a very real way. Exhaustion is important because it leads us right to where God can do the heart work that we so desperately need.

So, we walk towards people in our exhaustion, being open-handed and open-minded with an open-heart to listen and learn. And take it all back to the Father in prayer so that He can sustain us. He's never surprised by our exhaustion so it doesn't have to paralyze us.

Exhaustion can serve us well if we are connected to the greatest Power Source. Don't fight it, ask God what He wants to do with it. Let it keep you humble and hungry to know God and all of His people. Pick up your head, we've got invigorating work to do together.

With Love,

Em