Tired? Lean Into God

Tired. Exhausted. Worn out. These are a few of the ways I have heard people describe how they are doing right now. Honestly, I have used these phrases quite a bit myself here lately. Many of us had high hopes that things would be back to normal right now, but it is not that way yet. That reality has taken a toll on us. Unfortunately, when we are tired and have low energy, it is easy to forsake the things that can give us energy. Chris Gresov, who leads our centering prayer group, and I were talking about that fact this week. Whether it is our prayer life or our devotional time, we can shortchange these important aspects of our lives when we feel overwhelmed. That is one of the worst things we can do. When we feel beaten down, those are the exact moments to lean into these life-giving practices. Jesus told his disciples in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

When we remain connected to God through the spiritual disciplines such reading our bible, attending (in person or virtually) church, praying with a friend, fasting; we are remaining connected to the one who can sustain us when everything else in the world wants to drain us. So, this week, when you are feeling down or low energy or done, I implore you: do not skip out on your spiritual life. Stay connected to God, the one who can lift us up when we are down. In those moments, let us hear the words God spoke through the Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 40:28-31,

Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

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.

God, who does not grow weary, will be there with us and will sustain us when we do.

Pastor Henry