A mid-December refreshment

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

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!