ISAIAH 40:30-31

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

TO PONDER

I am by no means anywhere near what you might call an athlete. However, having lived in Canberra not too far from the Australian Institute of Sport, it was not uncommon to see those wearing AIS branded training gear out on a morning run around our local area. They probably didn't actually need the clothing to be identified. Once you have begun training as seriously and intently as they did your body kind of gives you away as a professional athlete. Yet even these athletes who prepared their bodies on a daily basis for gruelling physical challenges still got tired. Despite having bodies in peak physical condition, tiredness and fatigue were still constant companions. This is because all their focus was on their own strength. They may have outlasted or outpaced most 'normal' people in a race around the AIS running track, they may have trained their bodies to put off and ignore pain and fatigue longer than most, but even for these athletes, there came a time when their strength and endurance failed. Sometimes we do church and ministry like professional athletes. We do it in our own strength. We rely on our own abilities, our own endurance, our own resources. When we do this, we will always come up short. Only Jesus endured the cross, only he has the strength to sustain us. When we look to ourselves, we will constantly be confronted with our shortcomings in ministry because on our own we are not enough. Put your hope and trust in Jesus and he will empower you to be more than you could ever imagine.

PRAYER

Jesus, you bring purpose and meaning to life. Without you, we are helpless and alone. Lord Jesus, when I run, may it be toward you. When I strive, may it be to become more like you. When I fall, may it be into your arms, and when you lead me to success, may it always be for your glory. Amen

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