Craig Clouston

 Too Tired

June 22

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 origi-

nal 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.

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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.”