Tired? Giving Up On a Dream?

Ever had a dream evaporate because you simply had no more energy to pursue it?  After giving it all you had for as long as you could, you found yourself out of steam, out of gas, out of passion and tired all the way down to your bones?  There are many reasons and ways to become depleted in the pursuit of a dream.  Here is one of them.

DEPLETION WILL CRUSH MY DREAMS WHEN…

I WORK AS IF I CANNOT REST

There is a mentality that says, if I work hard enough, long enough, I will achieve all my dreams.  We hear that often.

How about this one: If I work hard AND I rest on a regular basis, I’ll achieve my dreams.

We don’t hear much of that one.  

I had a friend in Kentucky who was an elite women’s marathoner.  Her times for her age group were stellar.  One time I asked her, her secret.  She said, “No real secrets.  I just make sure I get water along the way and the best way to get water is to slow down and even walk at the water stations.”

WHAT?  I had some years where I ran a lot and runners who are addicted like I was know that you run for PR’s--personal records.  You want to go faster and faster.  And, under no scenario would any of us include walking in our pursuit of faster times.

Yet, the woman who outran all of us said, that when it comes to hydration and getting plenty of fluids, a common mistake is to grab water off of a table at the water station, throw down a hasty gulp--- with most of the water splashing past you or down your shirt---and keep running.  Instead, she advocated, slow your pace, take the water, carefully make sure you get the whole cup full into your mouth---or more than one cup…and then continue to run.

Slowing down to run faster?

This would be similar to Chic-Filet’s philosophy of closing their restaurants on Sundays.  You’d think a store only open six days a week could NEVER compete with the likes of a KFC that is open seven.  Yet, as of last month, the Atlanta-based chain has surpassed KFC in total U.S. sales, taking in $5 billion last year to KFC’s $4.22 billion. (March 2014 Bloomberg Businessweek)

You CAN do more, by doing less.

God offered this insight way back in the 10 commandments.

“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God.” Exodus 20:8-9

Even God rested:

“On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work”          Genesis 2:2

“Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.”                            Mark 6:31

When you say:  I cannot afford to rest, I would argue, you can’t afford NOT to rest.

Brad Johnson is Pastor of CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHURCH in Agoura Hills, CA  www.californiacommunitychurch.com