 original image There’s a common theme that I have been finding is running through my interactions with people recently: “I’m so tired.” I’m a student. Most of my interactions are with students. A student’s life is full of midterms, projects, and assignments, and trying to keep them all under control can be extremely taxing - physically and mentally. So it’s no wonder that this is usually everyone’s response to, “How are you doing?” But I know that this isn’t limited to students. Not at all. Everyone has something that they’re doing everyday. And eventually I think it gets a little repetitive and exhausting. Whether a person is attending class everyday, or going to work, this is likely their answer - their general state of being. Now, there are a lot of physical reasons for being tired: we get home late, we didn’t really get any “me”-time so we turn on Netflix and watch The Mindy Project or Suits into the wee hours of the morning, and then wake up a few hours later to go to school or work and are already tired. (Notice the specificity of the shows I have chosen here; I’m just as guilty as anyone else once in awhile.) Of course, we then rely heavily on our good friend, Coffee, to get us through the rest of the day. But honestly, I believe that the biggest factor causing this general “tiredness” is not purely physical. It begins in our mind - our spirit. We all have a sense of this looming heaviness upon us. It brings us down all day. I don’t know what it is for you, but I guarantee that it’s made larger in your mind. Even if it’s not a specific thing, our mind is consumed by it all day. And it’s really tiring. Oftentimes it’s difficult to identify what it is, so we don’t really know how to deal with it. I want to offer a thought. I read a line in a book that I want to share with everyone: “Relentless hope is what gives us energy.” Relentless Hope. I can’t speak for everyone - maybe this isn’t true for you - but in those people that are tired, exhausted, drained, I can see in their eyes a lack of hope. It just seems that there’s nothing to look forward to - nothing to put hope in. So we have no energy. Because what’s the point? Why be excited about nothing? And it’s true. So find something to be excited about. And be relentless about it. Don’t pick something wimpy. For me, I used to just be excited to go home and watch Netflix. I thought that would energize me because it allowed me to rest and have “Cole”-time. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a time and place for watching television, but it’s not strong enough to deserve your hope. It’s got to be bigger than you - bigger than your life right now. It has to push you to something different or new, and has to have meaning. I know people where this is their job. For example, I’m in education, and I know people (not a lot, but a few) that wake up every morning full of energy because they have a relentless hope in their opportunity to change kids’ lives as a teacher. For me, my hope lies in my faith. I wake up every morning so excited to just be alive - not everyone gets that opportunity. I get excited about what amazing things I will experience, and what fantastic things that God will do through me. I know that He loves me, and I know that He wants to bless me. And he absolutely does. How do I know? Because I’m looking for it. I’m relentless in it. I’m always actively expecting God to make my life unbelievably great, and He hasn’t let me down. It’s days where I don’t take into consideration my gratitude to God and what He’s done for me - or don’t choose to view things in light of the hope God gives me - that I feel tired or heavy or weak. I notice it in the little things. I smile at fewer people. I laugh less. I stop really caring about myself or thinking that I’m any good. My relentless hope - my faith in God, who He is, and what He has done for me - changes everything. It gives me energy. Both physical and emotional. My spirit is filled, and I’m willing to take on everyday. I don’t want to stay in bed, because I’m so stinking excited to experience what God has in store for me! I know it sounds so cliche, but I wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t true. Find your hope, and be relentless in pursuing it. You were made to be more than just tired.  Cole Benton Hatchard is my name and studying is my game. I’m in the BEd/BSc combined degree program at the University of Alberta, but rarely am I able to keep my thoughts focused on only that. I’m in a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ and I express that love in all enthusiasm and ridiculousness that I can. If I’m not examining the processes of the cell or pondering the movement of a charge in an electric field, you can find me studying any array of resources in search of personal growth and sharing this newfound knowledge with family, friends, and strangers (or what I like to call “future friends”).
Comments
|
