I ran over 12 miles yesterday as part of my training for a half marathon. It wore me out! Today I am shuffling around, favoring a sore knee, strained Achilles and tight hamstrings. Pretty weary is how I’m feeling.
This morning I read Isaiah 43:22. “Yet you have not called upon me, O Jacob, you have not wearied yourselves for me, O Israel.”
I got to thinking, I can wear myself out doing a lot of things. But do I wear myself out for God? Where do I pour my energy? How do I spend my time? Do I expend myself for God to the point of feeling worn out? In prayer? In serving others? In resisting sin?
Not that I should go around over-committing myself to a lot of activities for God. But am I on my knees wrestling in prayer for the concerns of others? How much energy am I expending in my resistance to sin or do I easily give in? Jesus resisted to the point of shedding blood. Does my resistance even bring about shedding a tear?
It’s a paradox, this wearying ourselves for God. He wants all of us. All that we are. Calling on him and wearying ourselves for him requires sacrifice, effort, and focused attention. Yet, when we come to him, he gives us rest. Matthew 11:28-30 We may experience a few sore spiritual muscles, but our strength is renewed and our hope restored. That's a sweet deal!
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Sweet indeed! Thanks for such an encouraging message. I have already prayed for ways in which I can stretch myself and become weary for him.
ReplyDeleteI read a chapter in a book called Jesus Freaks last night. There are those who have wearied themselves for our Savior under stripes from a whip, and torture beyond belief. And with your message, I wonder just how much and how far I will weary myself for him. . .time to search my soul.
great post!
Abigail made a point in our bible study tonight along these same lines. She said if we come to the end of our lives ready to enter heaven all fresh and spring-y and full of pep feeling healthy, we will not appreciate heaven. But if we enter tired, scarred, broken down and battle-worn, we will appreciate our eternal rest with Him. However, the battlefield is not a safe place to be. I pray the Spirit will go with me.
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