Wow! I’m tired this morning. My mind is foggy. My eyes are puffy. By the way I feel this morning, you would think I stayed out late or didn’t sleep well.

But neither of those are the case. I went to bed at a decent time, slept well, and slept in (until 6:15 a.m.). So why do I feel like this? I’m not sure, but I can relate to how the disciples felt on Jesus’ last night on this earth before His resurrection.

Jesus specifically asked them to stay awake and pray. He asked them to be alert. He asked them to watch. He asked them to pray.

But time after time, they were found sleeping because their “eyes were heavy” (Matthew 26:43).

Jesus felt the urgency that night. He knew what was going to take place. He knew after this night, everything would change.

The disciples obviously didn’t feel the same urgency. I suspect if they knew what was about to take place, they would not have slept. They would have been alert and doing exactly as their Rabbi had requested. They may have even tried to follow Him just to be near Jesus.

But that wasn’t the case. After finding the disciples asleep yet again, the betrayal was in full swing and Jesus was arrested, tried, beaten, mocked, and eventually crucified.

I wonder how well the disciples slept after the crucifixion. Did they lie awake at night asking themselves “what if?” What if they hadn’t fallen asleep? What if they had stayed awake and prayed? What if they had been more aggressive? What if they had more faith as Jesus asked them on more than one occasion? What if?

But the reality was they didn’t do any of these things. Jesus put it in plain words in Matthew 26:41 (NIV). “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Another truth is nothing they could have done that night would have made a difference in the outcome. Jesus’ sacrifice would have taken place. It was part of God’s plan. It was God’s way of saving mankind.

Where the difference would have been found was in the disciples themselves. They missed an opportunity to grow spiritually because they were tired.

In truth, I’m no different. I allow my physical body to dictate my spiritual life. I say, “My spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak.”

I believe that when I am feeling this way, it’s an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to take over. When I acknowledge and accept His power within me, I am able to continue. I am able to grow. I am able to prove to myself that my spirit is able to overcome my body because of the One within me.

Perhaps this event is why John later wrote, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 – NIV)

With the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to overcome all that comes with this earthly body. Even tiredness.

Today I am living proof. I sat down at my computer and didn’t know where I was heading with this post. And yet, 631 words later, I have a blog post. It wasn’t me. I wanted to write, “I’m tired. I’m not writing today. Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”

But God’s Spirit took over and because He is greater than anything that I encounter, I have shared a little something from God’s Word that might encourage you today.

I don’t know about you, but I think I’m ready to get this day started!

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna