Craig Clouston

Too Tired

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
Hebrews 12:1

As Trey rolled over, he was trying to decide whether to stay home or go church this morning. I don’t feel so good was his initial thought. The truth was he was just tired, and it would be easier to stay home.
Lying in bed, he remembered what had happened the last time he’d stayed home. “You missed an awesome service, honey!” Marla had told him. She’d come home all pumped up, sharing how the pastor had deviated from his original sermon.
He’d preached a powerful message on living for God, giving an alter call at the conclusion. “Bring all your needs to the Lord,” he’d urged. And they had. Three people had received Jesus Christ as their Savior; one woman had been healed of breast cancer, and two teens were set free from addiction! Trey had kicked himself for three days after missing out on the God encounter, as he’d labeled it.
Well, he thought, I’m not gonna kick myself again! And getting out of bed, he smiled, realizing he wasn’t all that tired anyway.

†

Tired isn’t a good reason to miss church; it’s an excuse; one Satan gives us to use to stay home. And church isn’t about showing up to fill a pew because it makes us look good. It’s about a relationship with Jesus Christ … our relationship.
Following Jesus isn’t always easy. It is necessary to discipline ourselves to push through and gain a new level in our relationship with Christ.
Satan fears our walk with God, and he’ll use something as simple as our weariness to derail that relationship. When he whispers, “You’re just too tired; it’s okay to stay in bed,” simply ask yourself, “If this were a football game, a movie, or some other social event I enjoy, would I go?
Tell Satan to go to hell; you don’t want his input and then throw off the covers and get moving in the right direction!

Prayer

“Help me not be lazy when it comes to our relationship, Lord. Help me to never allow myself to be too tired to join You in church. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”