For many it is the end of the work week, TGIF!
Weary, are you? There are
different kinds of tired. There is the
fatigue that we experience after a day of physical labor when we crave a hot
shower and the opportunity to stretch out on the couch. We know a good night’s sleep will restore us. There
is the kind of weary disappointment that we feel after we put in our best
effort and come up with meager results. We sigh and realize that next week we
will do it all again. Refocusing
ourselves, taking a break, brings back our hope.
There is the exhaustion with
life that finds us after an ongoing struggle when we are beat down – emotionally,
spiritually, more than physically. And,
we wonder if we can get back up? This kind of weariness grows like a snowball
rolling downhill.
When that kind of exhaustion overtakes us, we are in a
dangerous place. We are more likely to
make decisions that we will come to regret. We become more susceptible to
temptation. The leash on our temper
frays. Short term gratification gains
greater appeal because we lose sight of tomorrow. So, what should we do? Simply put – we need to sit down and shut up before we hurt ourselves or
someone else. We need to take a break.
Literally, we need to walk away from the struggle. “But, Jerry, I am not a quitter.” Taking a wise break for renewal is not the
same as quitting.
God reminds us that in that season He is our Healer. "O Israel, how can you say the Lord does not
see your troubles? How can you say God refuses to hear your case? Have you
never heard or understood? Don’t you know that the Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure
the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn
out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and
young men will give up. But those who
wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like
eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."
(Isaiah 40:27-31, NLT)
Soul exhaustion can morph into a deadly kind of
bitterness. When it does we join the
chorus that sings, "What’s going on
here? Is God out to lunch? Nobody’s tending the store. The wicked get by with
everything; they have it made, piling up riches. I’ve been stupid to play by
the rules; what has it gotten me? A long run of bad luck, that’s what— a slap
in the face every time I walk out the door." (Psalm 73:11-14, The
Message) We lose touch with reality
replacing it with our clouded view of life. Even worse, we turn on the very One
who could heal us. Feel that
coming? Then, make yourself stop! Take charge of your emotions and stop
reacting to every jolt. That same Psalm tells of a choice the weary
one made. "When I tried to
understand all this, it was oppressive to me ‘till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final
destiny." (Psalm 73:16-17, NIV) Humbly, we come and sit before the Lord, not
to whine, not to gripe, not to rage nor to scream. We just wait.
And, the Spirit finds us!
"Then I realized
how bitter I had become, how pained I had been by all I had seen. I was so
foolish and ignorant … Yet I still belong to you; you are holding my right
hand. You will keep on guiding me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious
destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on
earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the
strength of my heart; he is mine forever. But those who desert him will perish,
for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my
shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do."
(Psalm 73:21-28, NLT) The questions
about why may remain this side of Eternity, but the assurance found in faith
restores the weary!
Weary this Friday?
Soul weary, exhausted, broken by disappointment in yourself or others or
even with God Himself? There is a rest
for the people of God. Stop struggling
and trust. Here’s the word from the
Word. "Do you see what this
means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on?
It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit!
No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep
your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study
how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that
exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the
way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right
alongside God. When you find yourselves
flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long
litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your
souls!" (Hebrews 12:1-3, The Message)
TGIF!
___________
Let My Words Be Few
You are God in heaven,
And here am I on earth,
So I'll let my words
be few.
Jesus, I am so in love
with You.
And I'll stand in awe
of You.
Yes I'll stand in awe
of You.
And I'll let my words
be few,
Jesus, I am so in love
with You.
Beth Redman | Matt Redman
© 2000 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
CCLI License # 810055
No comments:
Post a Comment