Isaiah 40:28-31
Do you not know
or
have you not heard?
The Lord is the eternal God,
Creator
of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary,
his
understanding is beyond scrutiny.
He gives strength to the fainting,
and
to him who has no might he increases strength.
Though youths shall faint and be weary,
and the
youths stagger and fall;
They who hope in the Lord will renew their
strength,
they
will soar as with eagles’ wings,
They will run and not be weary
walk
and not grow faint. (NAB translation)
By this point in December, a
great many people are indeed exhausted. This is also a time of the year that
many people find difficult, for any number of reasons.
Are you taking care of yourself?
Are you giving yourself enough time—rather, are you giving the Lord enough time
to have direct, unimpeded access to you? Remember to breathe consciously, to
close your eyes for what I like to call a “minor moment” where you clear your
mind for all the distractions that oppress you and simply realize that you are
in the presence of God and that he is promising to do the things that Isaiah
describes in this beautiful passage from the Book of Consolation.
Could you, perhaps, take the
time to write out these words on an index card or slip of paper and keep it
with you throughout the day? Could you even, perhaps, memorize this passage?
Could it possibly be that at
least one word, one phrase in the text has something to say directly to you? If
it does, claim it. Don’t worry about what kind of effect it will have in
your life: don’t forget that God’s understanding, that his ways, are so far
beyond our human understanding that we cannot possibly predict how he will work
with us. Prepare to be surprised. Prepare to be delighted. Today.
We are touching here on a great
mystery, one that we discussed a few days back. We are considering “the peace of
God which surpasses human understanding.” May it be with you this day.
Don’t forget to close your eyes
for a moment and breathe deeply. As often as you like. No matter how busy or
distracted you may be. Today.
Blessed Advent to you!
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