Culture of Fatigue

"I'm so tired."
"I don't feel well."
"I need a coffee."
"If I could just have a break and take a couple days off."
"I guess I should call off today. I think I overdid it."
"You're a little under the weather? Well, I guess it's alright if you stay home."
"I just need a day to recuperate."

Sound familiar? It certainly does to me - and not from others, but from my own lips. In fact, let me begin this post making it perfectly clear that my thoughts and convictions on this topic are just as much from seeing my own attitudes as those around me. There are many reasons why I am contemplating this topic. Firstly, because I see my own sinful tendencies to bewail my personal fatigue. And then, too, between being a teacher and being involved in church ministry, I see the constant habits of tardiness and absences, which have become more and more commonplace and easily accepted in our culture. Furthermore, I see these tendencies toward weariness even in the midst of legitimate life hardships amongst friends and family.

In fact, it would seem at times, that we have created a competition of sorts as to who is the most tired or who "deserves" a break most. We say things like, "Well, you don't know what it's like having two jobs and school," or "You won't understand until you have a husband and kids and are trying to juggle all the scheduling and responsibilities of that." This happens when we are looking at ourselves and not the bigger picture. We see our life circumstances as paramount and as more weighty or serious than those of others. Or we even try to justify our tardiness or inability to keep some commitments because we were too busy keeping a more important one. For instance, I might call off work or skip school, only to show up later to a church function. Now, before you spew venomous anger at my boldness in stating such a thing, remember this is not meant as a sweeping indictment. Of course, there may be sincere exceptions to this from time to time. However, in general, when this happens, is it not often because we find merit in these religious works as gaining us better standing with the Lord; yet, the "smaller" things (like keeping your home, helping a friend, exhibiting a commitment to one's job and education) are not viewed with such urgency? I will be transparent here, for the sake of reaffirming that this post is just as much for my own correction as it is intended for the benefit of others. A couple years ago, I took on graduate school and am now in the process of writing my very large thesis to finish up that degree. At the same time, I am a teacher, do tutoring a couple days a week, involved in several ministries at my church that require a significant time commitment, typically don't sleep really well, and my Mom is preparing to undergo surgery for cancer this week. I say all that to give insight into why these things are weighing on my mind. I am quick to complain at times of how tired I am and how my schedule doesn't leave much room for "down time". But when did "down time" become a right? There is no mention of it in Scripture, and when "rest" or a reprieve are referenced in the Bible, it is clear that those times were used to refresh one's soul - not as an excuse to lay around and do nothing.

Are we learning and are we teaching our children to press on and be diligent in the midst of discomfort or weariness? Or are we cultivating habits of giving in at the first sing of fatigue? Are we using biblical language when evaluating ourselves and our children? Or are we quick to term what is actually laziness as boredom or fatigue? Of course there are times of legitimate illness or exhaustion and a genunine need for rest and refreshment. However, are we making those distinctions biblically and from a perspective that is informed by the Word, or from our own self-serving attitudes?

Furthermore, what example are we setting for the lost world, or even in our own homes/churches to the young people who we desire to see pursuing diligent and fervent commitments to the things of the Lord? Does our unsaved boss or our unregenerate young child see clearly our biblical work ethic, one which reflects habits that are self-sacrificing and willing to forgo the personal comforts of relaxation and entertainment? Could this be why we are seeing an ever-increasing tendency toward extended adolescence? Children who never want to grow into adulthood, don't take responsibility seriously, fail to finish anything or finish with excellence?

Our ministries will never be taken seriously as long as we don't take seriously the basic responsibilities God has given us in caring for and maintaining the home, exhibiting diligence in attending work/school, being prompt and showing faithfulness to keep our commitments, and being willing to work hard even when we are tired. One of my pastors has recently said, "The work of the ministry is carried out primarily by tired people." Could that not have been said by the many faithful ministry laborers from years past? Did not Paul work unceasingly for the welfare of the churches? Did not the Puritans labor with undistracted diligence and exhibit amazing fortitude? Yet, even in closing out this topic, I am quickly reminded to examine all these matters in light of the motives behind them. Being prompt, diligent and showing forth reliable work ethic can easily become a "work of righteousness," one which can be held forth as some sort of evidence that one deserves recognition. Battling the temptations toward laziness in this life - for the believer - must be done out of an overflow of his love for Christ. Paul sacrificially served and ministered and worked hard, not to gain favor with God, but as an outflow of his own calling from and love for his Lord and Savior.