“Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:28-31 (NLT)
Deadlines, decisions and the impending future. Our attention and devotion to God can be so easily diverted away by these things. As 2024 comes to an end, it is so easy to feel weary and tired at your current job and ministry.
Jesus’ life and ministry when He was human continues to amaze and humble me. I have always wondered how Jesus had the energy to heal the sick, feed the poor, and preach to thousands. After all, He was human then. Right? Throughout his life and ministry, Jesus was always in commune with God and the Holy Spirit through prayer and fasting. And in the midst of all the activities, He even went away to rest. Even when God created the world, He rested on the seventh day. Rest is intentional and edifying, not distracting and mind- numbing.
Ideal and proper rest for me would be journalling instead of watching TV, praying instead of scrolling through my mobile phone before falling asleep, and reading a book instead of spending time on my phone.
In Christ Jesus we can find true strength and peace. When our strength is renewed, we will then be able to love and serve God and others better.
Tricia Chen
