October 13, 2011

Are You Living the Best Version of You?

I love sleep.  I mean I REALLY love sleep.  It is almost one of my favorite things to do!  My bed is extra comfy.  My pillows are stacked just right.  My snuggly soft yellow blanket travels with me wherever I go in my suitcase and  I have a cute little bear that I have slept with for over 15 years. (long story)

 {Don't be shy, say hello to our guests, Mr. Brambles!}

When I was a teenager I often slept until noon.  Can anyone relate?  So by now you're thinking, "yeah, so what, you love sleep".

Recently God has revealed to me a major weakness in my life.  SLEEP!  I know I've confessed to y'all before about liking my sleep.  I think I've even explored the idea that my addiction to sleep is a sin for me.  Did you know that addiction is just a fancy, easier to swallow name for idol?

IDOL:  any person or thing regarded with blind admiration, adoration, or devotion.
 
My devotion and adoration of sleep has kept me from devotion to other more important things.  It has kept me from being the best version of me.  For example, if I head back to bed each day this week after my kids go to school (don't laugh--it happens), I've lost over 7-8 hours of productive work time for my home and family.  Even worse, if my house is in order, I've stolen time away from God as well....time I could have been in communion with him in study or service.
 
"We must identify and understand that which threatens our ability to flourish, and only sin can keep us from becoming the person God wants us to become." 
John Ortberg, The Me I Want To Be 
 
I've battled this beast for a long time now.  I've always known that sleep wasn't the best use of my time, but never did I see it as a roadblock for God making me into the best person I can be. 

To make matters worse, Satan can't keep his stinkin' nose out of it.  He'll whisper in my ear every morning how nice and comfy warm my bed is, how it's only an hour, how I have the rest of the day to be productive, how I didn't sleep well during the night and I deserve it.  THEN...when I get up from my comfy nap...He makes fun of me!  He accuses me of being lazy, points out all that I have to get done, and laughs at my weakness.

Have you been in this battle?  It might not be against sleep.  It may be against something far more serious; alcohol, p0rn0graphy, shopping, eating, gambling, gossip.....the list could go on forever.  Is there something in your life that needs to be tackled head on so that you can be the BEST version of YOU that God intended?

He doesn't love you any less for where you are right now.  His love for you never changes.  But He has great things in store for you.

Will you join me in this SEARCH AND DESTROY mission?  Find what keeps you from thriving.  If it isn't obvious to you, pray about it.  God will show you.  Once you know what is keeping you from flourishing, team up with God to knock down that stronghold!!

Would you be transparent with us today?  What keeps you from being the BEST version of YOU?
 

4 comments:

  1. I had to laugh when I read this. I thought back to our pastor in our home church. He always said "You can sleep when you're dead!" He would talk about how we are of no use to God if we are sleeping. So true!

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  2. I can relate.. I too battle with wanting to sleep all the time. I also climb back into bed after getting my kids off to school most mornings. *sigh* I have recognized time lost and sleep keeping me from more productive things. Thanks for sharing this post.

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  3. Thank you so much for this post. When I read it yesterday, it deeply touched something in me. It's something I'm working my way around to, and have been thinking about a lot lately.

    For me, the thing that I need to tackle head on isn't something external I can change, like sleep. Mine is more of an internal attitude thing. I'm still figuring out exactly what and how I need to change that, but a change is needed. A change is coming. I need to radically shift the perspective through which I look at (and talk to) myself. I'm limiting my potential in so many ways by not acknowledging all the strength and talent and skills that I have. One that I don't give myself credit for and I could be using more wisely.

    A little rambling, but you asked for transparency... ;) I'm still figuring it out, but I love the idea of a search and destroy mission!

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  4. It is true that we can be the best we when we get proper sleep. This makes us in optimal condition to do what we need to do.

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