Overdrive

By Matt Dobie

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

1 Peter 5:8

When I was at university I wanted to jump in with 2 feet. 

There was always something happening, something new to try, learn or do. Want to learn ballet, sure. Scuba diving, why not. Martial arts - what have I got to lose. 

And by my first week I was up to my eyeballs in commitments - with musical theatre rehearsals, short film making, bands of various genres, and of course not forgetting… my degree. 

Don’t get me wrong. I loved it.   

Naively, I thought I was being clever with my time. I was being productive, socialising, and getting my work done…just about (if you count pulling an all-nighter every week for a term). 

It was too much, my sleep went out the window.

Caffeine became my best friend.

I didn't want to miss out and quite quickly it wasn’t me running my life, it was my life running me.  I was in survival mode with no capacity to think at a higher level, and could be derailed at any moment. 

In 1 Peter 5 we are called to be vigilant, and not to fall into complacency and drop our guard. My dependency on Caffeine was one that was causing me to sleepwalk into a position of vulnerability.

While I may not live the crazy life of early student years any more, I’ve still found caffeine to be my biggest crutch.

This lent, I’ve given up caffeine in an attempt to live with more clarity and balance, being more present overall rather than running into overdrive and crashing out. 

You might want to use this as an opportunity to examine your own relationship with substances, whether that's caffeine or something else. This doesn't need to be a big issue to consider seeking support. Personally I have found having someone you trust to be accountable with a big help.

Lord, 

Show me areas in my life where I am dependent on things other than you. Your word says, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength”.

Help me to live those words today so that I can be alert and sober minded.

Amen.