My father was a son of Norwegian immigrants who sailed to North America almost 100 years ago. Even as a teen, he demonstrated the diligent work ethic that seems characteristic of his Scandinavian heritage.
Strong as an ox for most of his life, he worked like an ox. Occasionally, after busy days that drained him physically and emotionally, he would smile and say: “My ‘get-up-and-go’ has ‘got up and went!’”
In high school, my primary sport was long-distance running. Two of my favorite memories happened when Dad and Mom were there to watch me cross the finish line. What joy it gave me to show them that I could run the distance and cross the finish line—even after my “get-up-and-go” downright “got up and went!”
Some things have changed: He’s in heaven now, where I doubt that he ever gets tired. I don’t run now, having switched long ago to friendly court battles with my basketball buddies.
But some things haven’t changed: I absorbed his work ethic, along with his joy in ministry. Frequently—particularly after returning from a mission that takes me across 10 or 15 time zones and back—I am tired to the bone. That’s when I smile and tell my wife, “My ‘get-up-and-go’ has ‘got up and went!’”
As we enter a new year, it may be that every person reading these words is starting it with a significant amount of physical, emotional, or spiritual fatigue. Whether “weary in well doing” or worn down by the challenges that face us, we all are probably a bit tired.
But God knows that already, doesn’t He! Anticipating our need, He writes to us (Hebrews 12:1–3),
“Therefore we also [just like those heroes of faith in chapter 11, who willingly completed the race God set before each of them], since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”
If, like me, you find yourself fatigued in body, soul, or spirit, hear the word of the Lord:
- First, lay aside unnecessary weights. That may involve naming and taming self-imposed expectations that are unnecessarily high.
- Second, turn away from ensnaring sin. What lifestyle habits interfere with God’s work in your heart, mind, or body?
- Third, keep looking up … to Him.
- Fourth, finish the race. Just do it—like Him and for Him.
