I’m Tired
I’m tired. Can I say that? Like, overly tired.
Part of it is being a new mom. You know—all the stuff of new babies—middle of the night waking, extra prep work of bottles and diapers and pumps and diaper bags and enough supplies to get through each day and still showing up. Part of it is just being back at work full-time and juggling life as a mom of four little ones who haven’t entered fully into self-dependence and still need me to assist with their everyday needs.
I’m proud to say my 4-year-old can make his own instant oatmeal now, so there’s relief in sight.
Another part is my desire to be in the Word more and more each day. And because the days have gotten so full taking care of everyone else, the only time of the day I can really find quiet and peace is 3:30-5:30am. So that’s my Word-reading timeslot.
If you’re a night owl, or any normal person I guess, I might have just made you think, “Wait—what??” Because no sane person wakes up that early. I get it. It’s cringe-worthy just thinking about it. But my hunger to know God supersedes my need for sleep. I want to know Him! I want to hear Him! I want to break through in so many ways I’ve lost track!
A woman asked recently of a preacher in a live Facebook feed, “I’ve been reading my Bible, but I still can’t hear God.” The pastor replied, “Keep reading.” The woman responded, “No, I mean, like I want to hear His audible voice.” And the pastor replied, “Keep reading!”
Keep reading.
The first time I went through The Bible Recap “read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year” plan, I felt like I fumbled my way through because the Bible was still somewhat foreign to me. The second time, it was much easier, but I felt also that I was getting new revelation on passages that seemed old or mundane. Now I’m on course to finish it a third tdime at the end of April, and hopefully again in August and again in December. Each read through gets more fascinating, the characters and kings and prophets a little more understandable, and God speaks a little more.
Keep reading.
Is this the only way? Does full devotion to God really take this much time and investment? Do you have to be slightly crazy to pursue God at this velocity?
Sometimes the internal battle asks this question. I’ve given up some of my favorite things to maintain such a rigorous schedule.
When I read the Gospels, I see Jesus asking the big questions and the big commits. “Are you willing to give up everything and follow me?”
Up until this point in life, I really haven’t given up anything where I really felt the hit. Like… really felt it. Jesus just sort of fit into my schedule. I was probably a Pharisee—a religious imposter.
Keep reading.
May God fill you also with a great hunger for His Word!
Leah Carolan
Director of Worship & Media
