Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Scrawled on many a New Years Resolution list every year are entries such as: lose weight, relax more, get closer to GOD, have more energy…
Energy is a lot like time, in that it eludes us, slips through our fingers, gone before we have time to fully harness it. And with work, personal time, family, church, volunteering, and a host of other responsibilities , it's no wonder that most of us are running on empty. And we’re not alone. The market is flooded with things designed to boost our energy level- Red Bull “energy” drinks, B-12 shots, 5-Hour-Energy slugs, and so on. These “solutions” however, are temporary, lasting only long enough for the burst of caffeine to wear off and bottom you out. Then we feel worse and have to slam another. Addiction anyone?
So, does GOD care anything about our energy level and what we pour down our gullet to increase it? The answer is a resounding yes! He created us! He loves us! He cares about every minute detail of our lives. If not, he wouldn't have told us to love Him with all of our energy! (The Message paraphrase). Allow me to help you tap into greater energy with a few Biblical principles…
1. Love GOD first. No matter which translation we read, this principle is crystal clear. Place Jesus first and everything else falls into place. When we put all we are- our whole person (body, mind, heart, spirit)- in Jesus, He will add innumerable things, including a greater natural energy to worship Him and serve others. Our tendency is to think more service and worship will exhaust us further when in fact, as usual with the things of GOD, the opposite is true. We often find ourselves with even more energy. (Which will lead us to our next principle tomorrow.)
Application: Spend your energy today focusing on others: family, friends, co-workers, random strangers. When you lay your head down tonight, ask yourself if you were more (rather than less) energetic as usual.
Nutrition Tip: Discover natural energy. Contrary to what the Red Bull people would have you believe, a balanced diet and exercise regimen increases your energy level. By fueling our body with healthy foods and conditioning it into stronger growth, you’re gaining a lifetime of Red Bull feeling without the hangover and 3 dollar hole in your pocket.
Exercise Tip: Get up a few minutes early to get your workout in. Studies have shown that exercising in the morning while your body is rested helps you sustain energy levels throughout the day. Plus, bonus, it also increases productivity and optimism. Then, you won’t have to worry if you’ll have time later to make it to the gym or family obligations come up or you have to work late.
