Daily Devotional: Closer to God Every Day

Day 44: Counting Sheep

*Yawn* *Closes eyes*

Are you tired? Haha, yeah. Me too. I am tired nearly every single day. My days consist of early rising and late nights. In between is a repetitive cycle: work, work, work. I try as hard as I can to remain joyful throughout my exhaustion, but it is hard. As another responsibility was creeping up on me, I ran to my Dad, requesting that I could pass on this opportunity. He told me no. I became angry and demanded to know why he thought I should push myself so hard. I asked him, "Do you really think God always wants me to take the hard route?" With a knowing grin on his face, he looked in to my eyes and saidn "yes". Be careful of this predicament: don't assume that God wants you to be exhausted all the time. It actually hurts His heart when you put yourself through work to the point of depression and anxiety. I am not saying that my dad is unwise and wrong. I agree that God does want us to take the less traveled road (wich is much more perilous than the beaten path). I just think that we all need to slow down... to rest. If we don't, Jesus will make us. When you notice that everything becomes too much to bear - rest. What a beautiful word. Jesus rested. His disciples rested. God rested. Everyone rests. Sadly, we don't rest enough. Take a breath, a step back, a nap, or in your case a long nap. I know I could use one right now because I stayed up past midnight doing work then woke up before the crack of dawn. Idea: Don't get distracted. Work until your work is done. Then, rest and relax. Too much work? Take a step back right now. Get into your Bible, and let God give you the rest you need. Keep on fighting! God will deliver! Enjoy your Friday night with a Tollhouse ice cream cookie, some Netflix, and your Bible. When you're done with that, hit the hay and count some sheep. You deserve it my little champion. Love you lots. Goodnight. 

Before you close those eyes, check out these quick verses that will make you love your Father even more. Thanks for the reasurrance, Dad. 

Isaiah 40:28- 31 “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

-Katelyn