We Are All Tired!

OK! It’s time for a little Monday morning pastoral rant to get the week started. I’ve got a great week ahead of me, and I just need to get this off my chest now, rather than carry it through the week. So here it is:

Can we just come to an agreement that we are all tired?!?

We live in one of the most sleep deprived countries in the world. (I believe Japan is the most sleep deprived country, but I’m not pastoring there.) We are all tired…all the time. I’m guilty! I come back from vacation thinking about taking a couple of days off to rest up from my vacation! A doctor pointed out to me once that if you put a bunch of travelers on a 9:00 a.m. flight on a Monday morning, shortly after takeoff, most of them will be asleep. Why? We constantly operate in a sleep deficit. It’s just what we do.

That’s not what irritates me. What irritates me is when people (and yes, I admit guilt here too) lead into every conversation with how tired they are. Or even worse use “I’m tired,” as an excuse for why they “can’t” do something. I grew up with and still hold to the understanding that excuses are like buttholes. Everyone has one and they all stink! Now, I understand that there are plenty of circumstances when “I’m tired,” is a good excuse. For example, you were up with the colicky baby all night so, no, you can’t drive the carpool to school in the morning. I get it. But what I don’t get is when someone can’t make it to church on a Sunday morning because they’re tired. They made it to work all week long, but somehow the “tired” gains strength on Sunday.  Everybody is tired! Come be tired with the rest of us! And who knows, maybe, just maybe, being together in the presence of the Lord and His people, singing His praises and getting fed from His word might bring some light, life, and energy to your tired body.  It especially bothers me, when Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat all testified that you spent the rest of the weekend at the beach, amusement park, concert, or club. Crazy how you weren’t too tired for those activities!

Furthermore, stop flaunting your exhaustion like it’s a status symbol. Nobody who matters cares that you’re running on three hours of sleep or had to get 5 shots of espresso in your fourth cup of coffee today just so you could get through your work shift. If you want to be impressive, start saying “No” to some things and “Yes” to some meaningful sleep. If you are sick and tired of being tired, move sleep up on your list of priorities. Turn the screens off earlier. Turn down some invitations. Plan your rest like you plan your work and play. Then, you can show up on time, rested, and refreshed to give your best to the really important things in your life.

Now, with that off my chest, let’s get after it and have a great week!