Tip of My Iceberg

Photo courtesy of Ramiro Pianarosa on Unsplash

My mind has been lost in a haze of the must-dos and the should-have-finished. Thanksgiving is in a week, and I’m not ready for it or any holiday mentality.

Not an atypical response to intense times; we’re in the midst of a challenging month. We’ve lost two dear friends to unexpected death. Work has been full but exhausting. Satisfying but packed. Both John and I come home at the end of the day feeling more vegetative than energized.

My body is in rebellion. The weariness clings to me like a second skin, and I’m not really myself. I find I’m reacting instead of responding to people, and too often that behavior is negative.

Last night alone, John and I were heading home and I complained about his driving. That part isn’t unusual–I complain about his driving a lot. But I didn’t merely comment–I berated him for too long. And felt miserable about it when we got home.

I’m learning to apologize more quickly of late.

My body is tired, and I’m not listening to it. I’m pushing through with all that I’ve put in my schedule without considering what I need to do to regain some strength.

I can lie to myself and continue to fill my day with “necessary” activities and projects, but my body won’t lie. It can only tell me what’s happening at the moment.

At what point will I begin to listen?

This really is a lot about caring for my heart and soul, a process that requires a pause in activity and a quieting of my thoughts so I can understand what’s going on with me.

Some people call it meditation. I call it prayer. Seeking God to quiet my soul and help me breathe, be in the moment, and turn everything over to Him.

Not easy in this current culture.

I typically have a high energy level, but my job is also intensely people-focused. Continuous interactions with others can be exhausting.

Jesus understood this. He was teaching a group of people, showing His understanding of the challenge of work and dealing with the burden of the Roman occupation and taxation. He knew the lives of these people were hard, and weariness was part of their daily experience. They were also weighed down by following the heavy yoke of the ceremonial law which was impossible to obey perfectly.

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humbler and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’” Matthew 11:28-29

Isn’t that what we all long for? Rest for our souls, having inner peace no matter what chaos is at work around us. Having a sense of the greatness of God, who is not only able but willing to give rest to His people.

We have to seek His rest. Seek Him. Jesus alone can provide calm and restorative hope to hearts and souls battered by a dark world.

I know what I need–a rest that can genuinely invigorate me, inside and out.

The bigger question–will I do what is necessary to achieve this rest? Or will I continue to push forward until I have nothing else to push with?

Have you considered what honest soul care can do for you?