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
.Isaiah 40:30-31
Does today find you tired? Weary? Exhausted?
Working, volunteering, parenting our children, caring for grandkids or elderly parents, paying the bills, mowing the lawn, keeping the laundry caught up, and serving three squares a day – our duties seem endless and our responsibilities relentless.
Self-help books cheer us on. Song lyrics encourage, “I am woman, hear me roar!” We try to stay up late, get up earlier, roll up our sleeves and declare with all the Rosie we can muster, “I can do it!”
How long can we press on in our own strength? What will be the sock that causes the laundry pile to tip over (that’s my version of “the straw that breaks the camel’s back”)?
Another year goes by – they seem to do that faster and faster as we get older – and we realize that the same struggles to get it together and keep it together are still there that were there 3, 5, 7, even 10 years ago. Will I ever conquer this challenge? Will I ever figure out how to keep going and not get tired and get it all done?
And then we read Isaiah 40:30-31 and we feel…normal. Relieved. Grateful even.
Even young folks get tired. It’s not just this old body!
And I’m reminded – again – to find renewal and strength where I’ve always known it can only be found: by hoping in the LORD.
More than a vacation, a new how-to book, a therapist, or even a bubble bath, what I really need is to put my hope in the Lord. If I’m looking for renewal in anything – or anyone else – I’m setting myself up for disappointment and failure.
As I lift my eyes heavenward and place my hope on Him, I’m reminded (yet again) that while a clean bathroom, an organized desk, and all the grading caught up are worthy goals and good things, the absolute best and highest goal of my life is to live to please my Lord and to bring Him glory. When He is the source of my strength, I can fly like an eagle because He is the wind that keeps me afloat. I can run and not grow weary, and I can keep walking without fainting, because I am filled with Him. My eyes are on Jesus and not on my earthly challenge. He transforms not only what I do, but my why for doing it!
I pray you are ready to declare today (whether for the first time or the 1000th): LORD, MY HOPE IS IN YOU!
Our upcoming May Write the WORD bookmark features verses that all include the phrase, “one another.” Each verse or passage teaches, equips, and challenges us on how to interact with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
As she introduces the bookmark, Laura also offers some teaching from John 13:34-35 – the passage from Day 2 of the May bookmark. We invite you to listen to this week’s Friday teaching video as she reflects on the high bar Jesus set by lowering himself to wash the disciples’ feet.
