Strength For the Journey

Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” 

I have three wonderful children with my beautiful wife Gina.  Each of our kids have their own unique personality and gifting.  When they were young, we would go on walks with them, expose them to the outdoors and to nature.  They would be so excited when the walks began and sometimes run ahead of us.  Often, we would have to give them instruction as we walked along.  The instructions would differ according to the path or road that we were traveling.  Instructions like, don’t get to far ahead of us, don’t stray to far from the path, watch out for snakes or leave your brother alone.  All the extra energy they expended would begin to take its toll.  Inevitably they would become tired after a while and begin to fall behind and then they would ask “I’m tired, can you carry me?”.  We would encourage them to keep up with us and not fall behind and yes, sometimes we would reach down and pick one of them up and carry them part of the way.  As we neared home they would seem to be recharged and want to get down and “race” to the driveway.  I tried to make it look like a close race but let them cross the finish line first.

This journey that each of us are on can become wearisome!  All the extra energy that we expend on the things that are along the path of life can flat wear us out physically, mentally and emotionally.  Sometimes we find ourselves in a place where we don’t know what to do.  We are at the end of our proverbial rope and are losing our grip on life.  It is in those moments that you NEED your strength renewed.  The word “wait” in Isaiah 40:31 is an active verb that means to “actively or with anticipation” wait….to wait with expectation.

“But those who wait upon the Lord SHALL renew their strength”!  It is when we stop focusing on all the stuff and focus on the Lord that our strength is renewed.  When we stop hearing what the world around us says and start hearing what the Lord says, our strength is renewed, our faith is built up because we are listening to His voice, His word, His truth.  When we spend time resting, waiting in His presence our walk becomes a race to the end that we always win because in His presence we “mount up with wings like eagles, we shall  run and not be weary, we walk and don’t faint.  That is what resting in His presence, His arms will do for you.  Trust Him.  He has you.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank You for Your strength, provision and encouragement.  I know that I can do all things through You who strengthens me.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Wanna Go Fishing?

Matthew 4:18-20

“And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen, Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  They immediately left their nets and followed Him”.

There they stood just minding their own business and along comes this man, this Jesus and makes a statement that would forever change their lives….Follow Me!  And they did.  It says that immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 

Yet there were two things that Jesus said to them on that day.  The first was to Follow Him and they did, but the second thing was what would happen if they chose to follow.  Jesus said, “I will make you fishers of men”.

It was their “Kingdom Calling”.  They were called to be fishers of men for Jesus.  So many believers today don’t know what their Kingdom calling is supposed to be.  I know that my calling is to be a pastor and preach the Gospel of Jesus, to make disciples and help bring understanding of God’s Word to His people.  Not everybody’s calling is fulfilled the same way but we are all called to follow Jesus.  We are also called to share the “Good News” with those around us.  How we are to go about it is really the question.

Let’s look at how Jesus goes about delivering the news to Peter and Andrew of what He is going to do in their life.  He tells these “fishermen” that He is going to teach them to use the gifts, skills and knowledge that they have to fish for something different.  Something that seems impossible, to fish for men.  These blue collar, hard working men were about to make a transition that would change the world.  They “followed” Jesus and became “fishers of men”.  Sharing their experiences and their faith in this Jesus who had changed them from fishermen to fishers of men.  What is your Kingdom Calling?  How are you living out your walk with Jesus?

 Prayer:  Heavenly Father, help me to know how to fulfill my Kingdom Calling using my gifts and talents, skills and energy to share the message of Jesus Christ.  In Jesus Name. Amen.