The Business of Heaven (Part 5): "Figure It Out" Fatigue
Photo Courtesy of Sebastian Knoll
The junk drawer
You know it’s funny, but the “junk drawer” in my house never starts out as being the default place for junk. In fact, it’s usually where we put stuff that has real value. But little by little, those few valuable things end up buried under a bunch of stuff. Stuff that should have been thrown out.
Some people say we’re living in an “information age”, others say we’re in the middle of an information war. Regardless of how you might label it, our world often operates like a junk drawer of its’ own. Constantly bringing us information that crowds out what’s most important…
While burying the few things of real value.
In the book of 1 Corinthians, we find the Apostle Paul addressing one of many debates that arose amongst the people of Corinth. The Corinthians had a philosophical reputation, often arguing about what they “knew” to be true about a given issue.
So, Paul sets the record straight with a lengthy response to the Corinthians. He hits on all the layers surrounding the particular issue at hand, but it’s his remarks about the peoples’ “knowledge” that really stands out. In 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 (NIV), Paul writes:
“…”we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much.
But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.”
What a message for the time we’re living in today. A time in which information overload, unending arguments, and decision-fatigue are all too prevalent. Life is exhausting when you believe you have to “figure it all out”. It’s uplifting—
when you know the One who already has.
Is it wise to be informed to the best of our God-given ability? To do all we can in our own power? Absolutely. But at the end of the day, it’s our knowledge & trust in the Lord that is going to win out. True knowledge is to know & be known by the Lord Himself.
Your Father in Heaven knows your every need & struggle. He sees them before you even consider bringing them to His attention. Don’t get bogged down by the problem you’re up against. Don’t assume for a minute that it all comes down to what “you” have to do. Be wise, lean into the Lord &—
Ask Him to lead you through.
simple but powerful
“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” Romans 12:12 (NLT)
This verse from Romans gives us 3 practical applications to live by—be glad, be patient, be prayerful. No matter how chaotic life may feel, no matter how fatigued you may feel about “what to do”, these words still ring true.
When there’s so much you “could do”, simplify things to what you should do. Redirect your attention to God’s Word—the source of truth, life, and power. It may seem simple, but when we take God’s Word to heart & apply it to our life—
the outcome is powerful.
1) Be Glad
How can we rejoice & be glad in the midst of trials? By fixing our attention, not on what is seen, but what is unseen (2 Corinthians 4, NIV). Just as Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him, we rejoice in a confident hope that looks beyond our current conditions.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18 (ESV)
You can rejoice in the knowledge that God is with you, that He is an ever-present help in times of trouble” (Psalm 46:1). You can rejoice because you never fight alone, that your brothers & sisters in Christ also endure in this same hardship.
Rejoice in knowing that you + God is always more than enough. Be glad that God has gifted you with a confident hope today that lives on through every tomorrow. Be glad—
you have security in eternity.
2) Be Patient
“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him…”
In this Psalm we find King David, “a man with a heart aligned with God’s”, wrecked with distress. There’s a heaviness in his spirit, leading him to question what’s happening. Take notice that he answers his own question.
He reminds himself to wait expectantly on the Lord. Why? Because those who are poor in spirit will be filled with an outpouring of praise to God. This was good news for David & it’s good news for us. Which is why—
“we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:3-5 (NASB)
With God—
the waiting is never wasted.
3) Be Prayerful
My family took a trip to the lake a while back to do some boating. As they’ve done before, my kids got on the inflatable tube, ready to be pulled by the boat. But as we started to accelerate, the tube kept nosediving into the water. The problem wasn’t the boat, it was a lack of air in the tube.
Prayer is so powerful because it pumps us full of the oxygen our spirits desperately need. Why would we sink when we were designed to float? Prayer is a matter of doing our job while allowing God to do His. We put air in the tube &—
god Steers the boat.
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41
Jesus’ words remind us of the danger of failing to pray. It puts us at risk for falling into temptation. The flesh is weak, don’t fall into the temptation of self-reliance. Those who look to figure everything out, ultimately wear themselves out.
Instead, pray that His Spirit will “reinflate” yours for the waters that you’re in. Pray to be empowered to do all that you possibly can. Above all else, pray to be steered—
by God’s faithful hand.
Rest
Never forget the promise of Romans 8:28 (NLT), which tells us:
"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."
Rest in the assurance that even the things you hate, the things you fail to understand, and even those things completely out of your control…God is working all of these together for your collective good.
Take care of what’s yours, give to God what is God’s. Work with what you know &—
let the rest go.
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*Here’s a direct link to this week’s post: Figure It Out Fatigue
today’s Takeaways
True knowledge is to be known by the Lord.
With God, the waiting isn’t wasted.
Work With what you know, let the rest go.