I went to bed early
      to get some good rest.
It seems I need more sleep
      so that I do my best.
So I sleep for eight hours,
      even more if I can.
And while it does help,
      I don’t wake a new man.
Perhaps it is needed
      as I fight this cold.
Though some actually say,
      it’s because I am old.

We go to extremes
      to change who we are.
We exercise more,
      even buy a new car.
We spend so much time
      on the way that we look.
That we fail to reflect
      what is in the Good Book.
Somehow we think
      if we change the outside.
No one will care much
      about what is inside.

If I really want,
      a new man to be.
I will change what I want,
      and how I do see.
I will look on the inside,
      more than what’s out.
For the battle within
      can be quite a bout.
Take every thought captive,
      don’t give it a place.
To take root and grow,
      then spew out of my face.

To be the new man,
      that God wants of me.
I rest in the Lord,
      His face I do see.
When I become weary
      and feeling quite weak.
I wait on the Lord
      and His presence I seek.
The times of refreshing
      in sickness and health.
Is a joy for the ages,
      even more than great wealth.

When I’m under the weather,
      or feeling my age.
God’s Spirit is with me
      and helps me engage.
A body that’s rested
      and a mind that is fresh.
Helps me listen to God
      as His Word and I mesh.
It is not the sleep
      that’s important to me.
But the new man in Christ
      that I want to be.
©

I’ve been feeling tired and going to bed early to get more rest so I’m ready to start an early day of building prep and cleaning.  This poem began to form in my mind last night before I fell asleep and God finished it up as I did my morning work.  I pray that it encourages you in your efforts to be the person that God has called you to be.

In prayer,
Tom