Exhausted with a Purpose

I am in the midst of an exhausting few weeks at work.  And today I realized in between running around like a crazy person, I have totally missed something God is trying to teach me.    

Yesterday, I helped wrap up a very successful pediatric cardiac conference.  It was great but I am going on my 17th day of working in a row…either physically at work or working from home in order to prepare for this conference and/or maintain the odds and ends of my job.   I am exhausted.   Exhausted in the physical, mental and emotional state. 

And yet, over the past several weeks, all of my daily devotions have seemed to focus on…rest.  It’s almost been comical.  God is reminding me to rest during what is the busiest time of year for me.  There have been moments when I wanted to say, "Are you kidding me?  Do you understand what I am dealing with?  Planning?  Doing?" but of course, God is all-knowing.  He clearly understands my situation.  In my relationship with Him, I will always be the one that doesn't truly "get it".   I was reminded God gives us exactly what we need.  I am starting to wonder if the subtle references to rest have more to do with resting in His plan and less to do with sleeping.   In the hustle and bustle of the last several weeks, have I missed a very valuable lesson!?!?

Isaiah 30:15
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:  “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it”

Today as I reflected on the idea of rest, in the context of getting very little in the last 17 days, I had to pause and think about exactly what it is I do each and everyday.  God has blessed me with the opportunity to understand complex cardiac physiology of tiny, little babies…and the strength to care for them so they grow up and live life.  God has blessed me with a passion for teaching and leading others…to do the same.  God has surrounded me with physicians and nurses from all over the world to work, learn and teach alongside.  A group of physicians and nurses that truly collaborate together…to save lives.   Although I am absolutely exhausted…I am exhausted with a purpose.   And that purpose is greater than everything else that is draining me.  I need to learn to rest in God’s plan and His outpouring of blessings on my life.  I need to rest on His strength. 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 

So although I am exhausted…I know I can rest in the purpose.  And that is all the rest I truly need. 

Hearts, conferences and rest,

Ashley Lucille

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