He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:29
and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:29
It is a message I have received several times over the past few days, a message that goes something like this: 'Welcome back, I trust you had a good break, that you are rested and refreshed'. While I am grateful for the gift of some time off and I did have a chance to shut down and put aside ministry responsiblitites for a season, and we did enjoy some time with all of our kids together for the first time in two years, to be honest, I'm tired -- the kind of tiredness that is both physical, mental and spiritual.
I don't know about you, but just watching the news these days can be draining! As a global pandemic continues and Covid numbers in our province, especially in the Interior Health region remain a concern, with a long and devestating wildfire season also impacting our region, a Federal election campaign, with all of its unrest and division, with deep concerns around racial tension and inequality in our nation and around the globe, natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and typhoons, and the conflict in Afghanistan, the human toll is heart-wrenching.
We have been blessed to be able to stay close and engaged with each other over the past 18 months, but it still feels like Covid is hanging over us like a cloud and we are not yet able to engage fully as we might wish we could. I celebrate the character and strength of Valley that has been revealed through this season but sometimes it just feels like 'too much'.
Add to all this, a deep concern we have for Andrea and Jason and the unborn twins she is carrying, with a signficant risk for a premature delivery and the possibility she may lose them, you can understand why I am feeling tired; perhaps you are as well.
It is such a blessing to know that God sees and God cares, and He invites us to find rest in Him; that He is the God who makes me lie down in green pastures, who leads me beside quiet waters, who refreshes my soul. (Psalm 23:2-3)
In Psalm 4, David give us this promise of rest: In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)
David writes in Psalm 62: Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. (Psalm 62:1-2,5)
Asaph offers us these words of encouragment from Psalm 73: My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:6)
To His people, God gives this promise through the prophet Jeremiah, I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. (Jeremiah 31:25)
Perhaps you have a verse that God has used to encourage you; please share it with us!
For me, as we move into a new ministry year I am choosing to hold on to these words, this promise from God: My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. (Exodus 33:14) May we find rest and strength and hope as we walk together with our Lord into the fall season; I am grateful to share the journey with you.
I don't know about you, but just watching the news these days can be draining! As a global pandemic continues and Covid numbers in our province, especially in the Interior Health region remain a concern, with a long and devestating wildfire season also impacting our region, a Federal election campaign, with all of its unrest and division, with deep concerns around racial tension and inequality in our nation and around the globe, natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and typhoons, and the conflict in Afghanistan, the human toll is heart-wrenching.
We have been blessed to be able to stay close and engaged with each other over the past 18 months, but it still feels like Covid is hanging over us like a cloud and we are not yet able to engage fully as we might wish we could. I celebrate the character and strength of Valley that has been revealed through this season but sometimes it just feels like 'too much'.
Add to all this, a deep concern we have for Andrea and Jason and the unborn twins she is carrying, with a signficant risk for a premature delivery and the possibility she may lose them, you can understand why I am feeling tired; perhaps you are as well.
It is such a blessing to know that God sees and God cares, and He invites us to find rest in Him; that He is the God who makes me lie down in green pastures, who leads me beside quiet waters, who refreshes my soul. (Psalm 23:2-3)
In Psalm 4, David give us this promise of rest: In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)
David writes in Psalm 62: Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. (Psalm 62:1-2,5)
Asaph offers us these words of encouragment from Psalm 73: My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:6)
To His people, God gives this promise through the prophet Jeremiah, I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. (Jeremiah 31:25)
Perhaps you have a verse that God has used to encourage you; please share it with us!
For me, as we move into a new ministry year I am choosing to hold on to these words, this promise from God: My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. (Exodus 33:14) May we find rest and strength and hope as we walk together with our Lord into the fall season; I am grateful to share the journey with you.
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