On one hand I feel tired, worn and overwhelmed. On the other, I feel excited and raring to go.
God has called me to something and I want to see it through. It is hard work. It is depleting. It is a lot, but it is amazing.
In this, I no longer have to live purposeless, passionless and powerless. I no longer have to live driving from thing to thing, hoping to pass joy along the road – because joy is now the fuel to my drive.
To the cross I aim,
to exalt his name is my claim
and, in this, I will never be left the same.
I have never felt more joy – and more power – in Him.
So, I’ve adopted a go, go, go mentality
with push, push, push tenacity.
And, it is here where my mental battle begins. I start to wonder, “Is this right to do?”
Is God calling me to rest?
Or, is he calling me to abide in him as I work hard by faith?
Because people say:
“God’s load is light. You shouldn’t feel tired.”
“If it is wearing on you, you are taking on a load that God has not called you to take.”
“If it is beyond your strength, or abilities, then it is too much and not where God wants you to be.”
“If your strength is not 100% then you are doing it by your own might.”
I see where they are coming from, but I am not so sure I agree.
Yes, Christ does say this, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Mt. 11:28)
But, there is also this to contend with:
And let us not grow weary of doing good,
for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Gal. 6:9)
And as for you, brothers and sisters,
never tire of doing what is good. (2 Thess. 3:13)
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. (Prov. 13:4)
Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. (Prov. 12:11)
Do not be slothful in zeal,
be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. (Romans 12:11)
My mind may lays conflicted, but Christ’s love is never restricted. So, he draws my heart close and extends his love to a weary heart.
He simply says,
“Power down your mind and power up in me.
Behold me, perceive me and wait on my leading.
I will not misguide you or hide from you; instead I will come alongside you.
I will renew your strength.”
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. (Ps. 27:14)
We don’t have to walk by fate, because we can walk by faith.
Faith means we stop to see what the Lord has for us to do. It means we wait for his leading. Then, our heart is renewed, revived and restored in strength – because we have heard from God. What is more restorative than that?
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Is. 40:31)
It is hope that carries our heart forward.
Hope almost grows little legs on our heart so that all we want to do is run into the world to heal, help and harvest souls.
In this, we are not called to back down, we are called to fuel up with his hope.
Because, when we see hope,
we see how vital it is that we carry his cross far and wide.
When we see the hope of eternal glory and rewards,
we gain the strength to go unforeseen distances.
When we believe the hope of his promises,
we know all we do is secure in Him because He is for us.
There is no backing down – no slowing up.
Hope doesn’t come to make us pause in God, it comes to give us legs to bring God to all.
In a sense, hope comes right up against us like a bumper car and pushes us lengths we never intended to go . We can’t help but move.
And, the more we hope, the more we run towards him and towards others.
Our joy becomes unceasing – our lives transformed. There is no fear because the perfect love of Jesus Christ extinguishes any fear. We stand in line with the maker, and he makes a way for us.
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” (Is. 41:13)
So, what does this mean for me? It means, I know where to gas up on strength. I know who to go to for renewal.
God readily supplies a never-ending outpouring of hope – and it is this never-ending supply that will drive me to new lengths – and new heights- in Christ Jesus.
He will renew my strength.
He will instruct my spirit.
He will guide my ways.
Lead me in truth.
Help me in my weakness.
Offer me new mercies every morning.
And, he will do that for you too.
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