Decaffeinated
Coffee in the morning, at 3 p.m., and (some days) again at 6. Is this anyone else? My coworkers and I used to joke about how it was "Coffee Time...again." Sure, it tastes good, but we were all in need of a caffeine hit to combat the impending energy crashes throughout the day. I've questioned why we all seem to feel this way so often. It is increasingly common to hear people say they are exhausted. Of course, when you have small children, you tend not to get your recommended 8 hours of shut-eye, but it seems bigger than that to me. There are people in all stages of life who respond, “I'm good, but tired.” when asked how they are doing.
The desperate need for an afternoon cup is not at all like that first morning cup. You admired the steam billowing from the rim of your favorite mug. You know the one. You always grab it, despite having 20 mugs in that cupboard. The smell alone brought comfort and hope for a wonderful day. The morning cup was an experience. You sipped it while viewing the sun rising above the trees and the rooftops. You took your time and savored it. The afternoon cup was rushed. It was a quick fix to your crashing energy and your negative mood. You didn't even really put any thought into gulping it down. You were probably still distracted by the day's itinerary, so you barely realized you had finished the whole cup.
It has been estimated that we have over 6,000 thoughts in a day. What am I going to wear? What's next on the to-do list? Did I hit my sales goals? Do they even like me? These are just a few that frequently visit us. We can't help but care about appearance and productivity. We might not even realize what we are thinking about because it has become a default mindset. Paul writes, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans 12:2 ESV). The worldly messaging to us is to work hard, be a super-parent, look good, and worry about the future. The pressures of the world are real, but we are not called to be of the world. Jesus says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 ESV). Our first thoughts should be of Jesus when we wake. We should ask him what He wants our day to look like. We should check in with Him all throughout the day. Slow down some and take time to listen. When you clear your mind of the cluttered, worldly thoughts, you reserve space for what actually matters. Working through the days with him at the forefront eases the mind.
When your mind is not running on a never-ending treadmill, your energy reserves start to build. You are no longer in an energy deficit! Good businesses don't fall in the red, and great businesses have an abundance of assets at the end of the cycle. If a business continually uses up its resources, it simply fails. We need to reserve our energy for the things that actually matter in this life. Paul encourages us by writing: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8 ESV).
I know I sometimes overload my days with activities and thoughts completely unrelated to my relationship with Jesus. Perhaps, for too many of us, that afternoon cup is a desperate pick-me-up. A diversion that will only delay the eventual burned-out feeling that will surely come. Let me share what, for me, is truly refreshing and energizing: time with Jesus. A short prayer, a word of worship, or reading a bit of Scripture in a quiet place. It is an opportunity to make progress with the renewing of my mind that no caffeine, cigarette, or (insert your vice here) can match. When the 3 o'clock slump hits, I'm going to look to Jesus for renewal.
There is so much going on around us at all times. The important thing is what we spend our time thinking about. What we are directing our attention to will impact our outlooks, our energy, our actions, and our peace. If it is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, or praiseworthy, it is worth our attention. Seeking these types of things is the real fix. We have to be intentional with our thoughts. Let's switch from a draining, default mindset. Let's find ourselves saying things like, “I'll take decaf, please.”