Help for when you’re feeling weary but want to be closer to Jesus

I don’t think many of us would argue with the idea that the more you put in, the more you can expect to get out of something. For example, playing the piano. I started learning as a child but stopped after grade 2 – clearly putting in the time and effort to practise did not appeal. And I still regret it. Because people who play the piano well can do something beautiful, relaxing and enriching. And I, having forgotten even my grade 2 skills, cannot.

And the truth is, that even relationship with God requires effort on our part. Not to have a relationship in the first place: being forgiven and welcomed in is not something we had to achieve – Christ got us there at the cross. But to live in the fullness of what He has done for us, does require something from us. We need to look to Him, to listen to Him, to seek Him – and that often comes at the expense of something else.

This truth was rather brought home to me the other day as I was reading a book that had been written by a friend. My friend knows that the transformational power of the book’s message comes only when you fully engage with it, because he has walked this journey towards life and freedom himself.

As a result, it’s the sort of book that asks you to enter in. There are sections of Biblical teaching about Jesus’ life and how we relate to Him and He to us, and then at frequent intervals, there are questions. Questions that want answers: that require thinking and reflection on your own personal walk. Questions that need attention, time and effort.

But I had encountered an obstacle – and that was my lack of willingness to chew.

I was quite tired and struggling to muster up the energy to put in a bit of effort. I could well relate to the quip that my get up and go has got up and gone! Because sometimes at the end of a busy day, I would really like to veg out, watch a silly sitcom and eat snacks. And there is nothing wrong with that in and of itself – sometimes it is the good choice: rest is important.

But on this occasion, I knew there was a better choice and I was conflicted. On the one hand I was tired and didn’t want to do much, but on the other, I didn’t want to miss the fullness of life found in pursuing God. I knew I didn’t have to do it under the Law, as Christ has set us free from that compulsion, but that it would be a really good thing to do. It would bless me. The comedy on TV might make me chuckle, but it wouldn’t fulfil. Sitcoms don’t bring meaning, purpose and hope – but engaging with the questions in the book just might.

I felt a bit stuck – but then an answer came – and it was in the form of another question!

Do I really believe it? Do I actually think that God is good and there are treasures to be found in Him?

It was a big question. And one with a potentially unnerving answer – what if the answer was no!? But it was an important question – because if the answer is yes, then that would be a huge motivator.

I realised that I do believe it. I have so many reasons to believe it.

And I realised that I want to embrace the treasures God offers – such as knowing Him and His love more fully, being secure in my identity in Him, having the hope and the purpose that comes from following Him more closely and reflecting His light in this world.

The world simply can’t offer me these things.

The social media dopamine hits and sitcom chuckles are empty in comparison to knowing Him. Nothing else will bring me what knowing Christ can.

So, with that answer settled in my heart, I was hungry to push through and to put in the effort to engage fully with the book. And the outcome was a deeply edifying time with Jesus.

If I want to reap these kinds of treasures in my relationship with Jesus, then I am much more likely to do so, if I first plough and sow. He promises that if we seek Him, we will find Him – but we do need to seek Him.

This is also the case when we read the Word itself. Do we actively look for Jesus within – do we engage with the text and think about what it means in our life? Or do we opt for a more superficial reading, perhaps a little distracted by the demands of the day? Whilst the Word is living and active and can speak to us even when we are in a hurry – how much more can be found when we read it mindful of encountering the living God?

In Isaiah 55, 1-3, we are invited to:

“Come, buy and eat… without money and without cost…. Listen to me and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.”

This a fantastic summary of what we have been offered in Christ – a free gift – we don’t need money to buy it or to earn it. However, to delight in this richest of fare, we do have to listen and eat. Listening is not passive hearing: it involves paying attention. For our souls to fully delight in this gift takes time and effort. I can’t delight in it if I don’t eat it – and I won’t fully savour it if I don’t chew on it.

Maybe you, like me, have times when you know that engaging with Jesus would be fruitful, but motivation is low. Why not ask yourself some powerful questions.

Have you been getting what you need from the world? Do you believe that Jesus is good and can offer you treasures that the world cannot give?

The answers to those questions might just bring the extra motivation that you need.