Rest To Be Your Best Self

My Extreme Tiredness Almost Made Me Miss Out!

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a Pastor's Convention with my husband, but I almost didn't go because I was too tired.

If I hadn't of gone, I would've missed out on receiving something very precious from the Lord. Ever been there? When you don't have enough gas in the tank? And you can't go one more mile?

About a week before we were scheduled to leave for this convention, I had held a ladies luncheon and hosted the guest speaker and her husband at our home. As you can imagine, a lot of prep work went into hosting both the ladies meeting and the guest speaker and her husband at our home.

Easter was the following weekend. Yup, the day before we were set to leave for the pastor's convention.

My husband's family came in from out of town, and yup, we hosted them at our home and held the Easter meal after service, after running the Easter service at church.

In between those two events, I worked my full-time job, and ran the Wednesday Night Prayer Service with my husband.

Did you follow all of that?! My head is spinning from remembering everything we did within one week! I'm sure other Christian women, especially pastor's wives, can relate with this scenario.

After the last guest left on Easter Sunday, I turned to my husband and said, "I don't think I will be going to the Pastor's Convention with you tomorrow. I'm just too tired." And he totally understood.

I Packed My Bags in a Hurry!

However, the next morning as I was getting ready for work, the Lord made it very clear that I was to go to the pastor's convention with my husband. "Go, and receive of me," He said.

Receiving those words from the Lord put me into action. I texted my husband, "I'm going," then I jumped into the shower.

It didn't take me long to pack and amazingly, I was ready to leave when my husband wanted to leave.

The pastor's convention is a very popular bi-annual event in our fellowship and many people anticipate this event. A variety of pastors, missionaries and ministers from all around the world are given opportunities to speak, share updates on their ministries, and give an onward vision for the fellowship.

(Explore more about our fellowship here: Zion Fellowship International

The pastor's convention consists of six services over a three day period and my husband was due to be a song leader for two of the services. So it was nice I could go and support him.

By the end of the fourth service on the second day, I was completely zapped of strength, but, not wanting to expose my fading good attitude and happy countenance, I thought it best I leave right before the service ended to avoid getting snagged.

As the service appeared to be closing, I felt it was time for me to scoot out, so I grabbed my purse and headed to our room which was located within the same building. Once inside our room, I couldn't get my dress off fast enough! I flung it on a chair and climbed my weary body into bed, nylons, slip and all.

Falling in and out of sleep for over an hour, I drowsily wondered where my husband was.

The Downfall of Being "Too Tired" to Participate

Later I learned that the Lord had begun to move in a very special way during the service, unlike anyone has seen in twenty years. Prayer and prophecies had gone forth for an hour and many people were touched by the Lord, and I missed it, because I was in bed.

This realization hit me hard, and I wondered why this had to happen?? Didn't the Lord say, "Go, and receive of me?" Well, I'm here! But I was too tired to be in there!

• Spent and exhausted from leading the life of a pastor's wife.

• Not wanting to come in the first place because I was too tired.

• Being told to "Go" by the Lord.

• Now missing out on what the Lord probably had for me... was just too much for my weary mind and body.

The next day did bring new hope as I attended the morning service with a heart of acceptance. Yes, I missed out on what might have been a great experience with the Lord the night before, but the pastor's convention wasn't over yet!

By the beginning of the last service on the last day, I started to notice all the pastors and missionaries in attendance were looking weary and tired as well.

How come people in ministry are so tired and drained? Aren't we serving the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, from where all of our strength comes from?

Then why are we so tired? So spent?

Rest to Be Your Best Self

Just then, the Lord quickened to me the parable of the 10 Virgins and I instantly knew what the Lord was referring too.

Only 5 of the virgins were prepared with oil for their lamps, and only those 5 virgins were able to go with the Bridegroom when He came for them.

Standing and singing during the song service, I lifted my hands in praise and worship.

Suddenly my arms and body became the shape of a vessel and the Lord poured forth his spirit of strength into me.

The thought of the 5 virgins who were prepared with oil came to mind, and I realized:

• I need to be a vessel that is filled with His anointing oil...

• A rested and refreshed vessel that has the strength to carry the Lord's anointing oil...

Upon a deeper look at the parable of the 10 Virgins, we notice that all 10 of the virgins gathered to meet the Bridegroom when he came, but because he tarried and was taking a long time, they decided to rest.

When the Bridegroom did come for them, only 5 of them were rested and prepared with oil in their lamps. They are considered the wise virgins, and only those 5 wise virgins were able to go with the Bridegroom.

The other 5 virgins were rested but were not prepared with oil for their lamps, therefore they could not go with the Bridegroom.

This amazed me and I couldn't believe what was being revealed to me in that moment.

The Lord was telling me to "Rest". Plain as day. And obviously, I needed to attend this convention for Him to reveal that to me.

• This is why I came.

• This is why He told me to "Go, and receive of me."

• This has changed my whole perspective on how I fill my days.

In order for me to be MY BEST SELF - I must REST and be FILLED with the oil of anointing in order to do my best service for our Lord.

Set Aside a Day to Rest and Walk in Wisdom

Our bodies are vulnerable and we need rest. We need time to recover from the fast paced world we live in and reflect back on our days. The Lord knew this, and in His foreknowledge designated a day for rest and made it holy.

Let us commit to pulling away from the craziness of life and find time to quiet ourselves.

Let's give ourselves permission to be still for a little while.

Then, after we've have rested, we can open our Bible and read the Proverbs of the day, or a chapter in the book of Psalms. The Lord might refresh us with his presence and fill us with the oil of anointing to minister and function to our family, home, children, or spouse in His holy name.

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Mark 6:30-31 (NIV)

"The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

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Let's Pray Together

Father in Heaven, thank you for Your Spirit that reveals all things, and thank you for revealing this truth about rest. As Christian women seeking to please You with our lives, we want to commit afresh to becoming more mindful of sitting still and being quiet. Will You help us remember to rest when we should? We get so busy and think things are more important than refreshing ourselves. Help us remember to take time to refresh our heart, soul, and mind, so we can become better people and bring You glory.

As we lift our hands in praise and worship to You, the King of Kings, we pray that You would fill us with Your oil of anointing and help us be kind, loving, gentle servants to everyone we meet, and in everything we do.

In Your precious name,

Amen.

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Read more prayers HERE, and while you pray, trust the Lord to help you overcome bad habits that hold you back from living for Him.

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Blessings ~

Angie

The Founder

of My Sun & Shade