J. Mitchell Lane

Due to a few projects that I was working on, between Christmas and a week ago I was only able to get five hours or less of sleep a night. I can tell you that I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone. Actually, it wasn’t too bad until the last week and a half or so. During that time, I couldn’t focus on anything that I was doing (including trying to carry on a conversation). Finally, a week ago I was able to get a few projects off my plate, and I spent the entire President’s Day weekend sleeping and relaxing. I only left the house one time.

I set a new bedtime for myself for this week that ensures I get 9 hours of sleep, and for this entire week my energy level is so much higher, my brain has been able to focus, and I actually feel like I’m almost myself again. Now that I’m actually able to think, I’ve had a realization that you’d think I would have had a while ago. Being so worn out, it was next to impossible for me to do anything with the right focus and with the right heart for Christ. I was unable to put any kind of real effort into what I was doing because there was no energy to spare. Since I’ve started sleeping again, it is so much easier to do whatever I’m doing with energy and with the right focus.

I know a lot of people who say yes to every service opportunity that comes their way. I also know a lot of people who get burn out as much I was for the past month and a half. Sometimes we need to realize that there has to be a time to recharge and refocus ourselves (and time and energy to give to family). Throwing ourselves into everything that comes our way isn’t anywhere near as important as making sure that we can actually serve to the best of our ability and not half-heartedly. Would you rather be served by a million people who’s spirits are down, or by one person who can give you everything he has?

We have to be careful that we don’t use tiredness as an excuse to say consistently, “I have too much on my plate, and I can’t help with anything else,” but we also need to make sure that whatever it is we do commit to isn’t going to bury us, leave no energy for relationships with family and friends, and no energy to serve to the Glory of God.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” - 1 Corinthians 10:31

If we are saying yes to everything just so we can be seen as a servant, or see ourselves as a servant, but we’re not able to do it cheerfully and to the Glory of God, we shouldn’t be doing it at all.