May 26, 2016

Cry Out To Jesus

13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. -- Matthew 14:13-21

It was one of those heartbreaking Facebook posts. A young woman posted that she was tired and worn out but she had to get over it and go get supper together for her kids. She and her husband are separated. He is in another state. She is struggling to be enough for her kids.

Have you ever been there? Maybe not exactly the same circumstances but where you are struggling to meet your obligations and responsibilities? Are you ever so tired and worn out that you just want to lay down and cry?

In this story, the disciples didn’t see how they could possibly feed all those people with two fish and five loaves. Well, they couldn’t. But Jesus could. Jesus gave thanks and multiplied it so that everyone had plenty and there was some leftover.

That’s what Jesus will do for us if we give it all to Him. Because even though we are not enough, He is more than enough. We have to merely rest in Him, to trust Him to see us through.

Sounds easy doesn’t it? There’s nothing easy about it. Satan works hard to keep us from the arms of Jesus. There is guilt and condemnation. There are the needs of children and spouses and work and home care. There are just so many people demanding attention.

That’s when we need to take a deep breath and cry out to Jesus. It doesn’t have to be a loud, audible cry. He hears our cry that rises up from deep within. He strengthens and comforts and helps us. We have only to ask. He is there.

May 14, 2016

Take It To Jesus Today

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” -- Matthew 11:28-30

Some days I sit down late at night, so exhausted I just want to have a good cry, and try to remember where my day went. I was busy all day long and yet I didn’t seem to accomplish anything.

Have you ever been there? Do you know what I’m talking about?

I cooked. I washed dishes. I drove others to various destinations. I did laundry. I counted cows. I fed geese and dogs. I mowed grass. I watered flowers. I cleaned and bandaged a hurt toe on someone else. I sorted medicines. I helped make homemade jelly and then cleaned up the kitchen -- again. Oh, and I tried to complete a painting so I could earn a little money.

Yes, I am tired. What did you do today? I’m betting that while the tasks were different, for at least some of you the day was equally as long. I am a caregiver for two elderly adults. You might by a young mom with small children who is juggling a job and everything else. You could be a man working overtime to help his child pay for college. We all have our stories and we all get tired from life’s demands.

Jesus said to come to Him and He will give us rest. I need that, don’t you? I need to be covered in peace and grace, to rest in His embrace, so that I can recharge enough to do it all again tomorrow.

So many times we try to do it all ourselves. We don’t want to take time from the little bit we have to spend with Jesus. We tell ourselves that somehow tomorrow will come with more of that special thing called time. Except it doesn’t because tomorrow is like today and the day after.

What happens when we don’t recharge in the arms of Jesus? What happens to our souls, our peace, our strength, when we don’t take time to rest in Him? Sooner or later there just won’t be anything left. Nothing. And we’ll become empty shells of who God intended us to be.

We were built with an inner longing to know and worship God Almighty. We can try to fill ourselves up with stuff. We can put it off. We can try to persuade ourselves that it’s not important. But we will never, ever have peace and rest until we do.

Take time today and spend it with Jesus. Then do it again tomorrow. Rest in His strength and draw from it. Find comfort in His Presence and learn from Him. He’s waiting. Don’t put it off any longer. You need Him. We all do.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

This column was written by Holley Gerth. Please check out her website at holleygerth.com. She's a simply amazing writer and a true inspiration.

 

What Feeds Your Heart

I walk through the door bone weary, head throbbing, searching for the nearest flat surface so I can sink into silence. I feel depleted, drained, tired in a way that makes my heart echo with emptiness.
Another day I walk through the door worn out but not worn down, ready for a nap but also ready to get up and go for it again, smiling even through the physical fatigue that tugs at every part of my body. My energy tank is empty but my heart is full.
One task depleted me–like a sugar crash after too much junk food.
The other filled me up–like a satisfying meal that makes you lean back in your chair and sigh with new strength.
Here’s the catch: both looked like great opportunities on the outside.
But one was not for me.
And the next time it came around, I turned down another helping. That’s hard for us as women {at least it is for me}. Saying “no” to what looks enticing and sweet even though we know it will ultimately not nourish us can be difficult to do. And yet discovering what truly feeds our hearts is essential.
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish His work” {John 4:34}.
What God truly has for us to do on this earth will fill us up deep inside. Oh, yes, we will get tired sometimes along the way. We will have struggles and face obstacles. But what He has for us is not meant to leave us continually empty.
Be careful if you’re working hard “for God” and your heart feels hungry all the time.
Stop and ask Him, “Is this really, truly what You have for me? Have I taken in or taken on something You never intended?”
How do we even know what’s God’s will is?
Part of the process is that we are to “test and approve it” {Romans 12:2}. You might even say “taste and approve it” because just like your body knows what is good, your heart does too. But that only comes through experience.
So don’t be afraid to try what’s in front of you. Have a bite. Then see what happens.
Is it nourishing?
Soul filling?
Life giving?
Then have some more, my friend. But if it’s not, it’s okay to push the plate away or pass it on to someone else {because what feeds each of us is different}. You’ll know when you’ve found what you need. You’ll “taste and see that the Lord is good.” {Psalm 34:8}.
And what He gives is good for you.
“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live.” {Isaiah 55:2-3}.
God offers something better than a busy, full life.
He offers life to the full.
XOXO
–Holley Gerth, author of You’re Made for a God-sized Dream

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

God Strengthens The Weary

He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. -- Isaiah 40:29

Some seasons of life are just hard. And some days are worse than others. No one truly knows the life path of someone else but we are so quick to judge, to criticize, to look down on their seeming inability to get it all together.

Most of us don’t bare our souls to just anyone. That leaves us wide open to criticism. By people who really don’t have the right to criticize us at all. Because really what we see and what really is are rarely the same thing.

A friend recently spoke of getting upset and frustrated with another driver who was driving way too slow. Then she got some devastating news and ended up driving slower than she normally would have. In hindsight, she wonders if she wasn’t too critical of a stranger. Maybe that driver had a reason, just as she had.

Or those who don’t think we have a “proper” relationship with parents or other relatives. Believe me, if you aren’t in the relationship, you don’t know the dynamics. Do some people treat family members badly with no reason? Absolutely. But usually if there is tension or nasty comments, there’s a reason for it -- and it might not be what you think.

I have a dear friend who, along with her sisters, cares for her mother. Except she can do nothing right. Yeah. You guessed it. She isn’t the favorite. It’s frustrating and I’m sure if someone heard her tell her mother to call her youngest daughter if she wasn’t happy, would be appalled. How dare she treat her mother with such disrespect? Well, maybe because her mother treats her with disrespect and a person can only hurt so much before lashing out.

Because it’s hard to keep going forward, trying to do good, trying to pretend everything is okay when really it isn’t. But people don’t want to hear or see that sad side. They want to see only good -- and criticize you if you show anything else.

“I just get so tired,” my friend says. “I don’t know how I can face another day like this one,” another says. I know. I know. I am just so tired of being tired. Yet when you care for others, when you live a life of ups and downs (and aren’t all our lives that way?), when you try to pretend all is well when it isn’t, then it just drains you.

God understands. He gets it. He really does. And He offers strength to the weary. Understanding. A place to turn when life is just too much and you can’t imagine facing another day filled with criticism, and judgment, and duties that never seem to end. Turn to Him and find rest for your weary soul.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

God Strengthens The Weary

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." -- Isaiah 40:29

I am tired. No specific reason why. Just tired. Every day lately seems to get longer and longer. Normal activities zap what little energy I have. I long for sleep but toss and turn through the night.

Worry fills my mind. I know it shouldn't. I read my Bible and pray yet the clouds linger. It is a constant battle as I try to let go of things I cannot control and the devil tries to keep a firm grip on to my mind. No wonder I am so tired.

It is days like this when I am grateful for God's strength. I know He will carry me through this day and the challenges to come. He holds me up when I struggle for the physical and mental strength to keep doing the things I must do.

The day isn't nearly as dark as it seems. I know that. Tomorrow hope will rise with the sun and I can only pray that my strength will rise with it. Life is so much better than it feels right now. It is actually pretty good. Why, then, do I feel so overwhelmed and burdened? Is it the fear of looming change that I see heading my way, change I am resisting with every bit of strength I have?

"but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength." -- Isaiah 40:31a

Hope, the dictionary tells me, is a feeling of expectation and desire. I do desire God's will for my life. I do expect His guidance and help. I do hope for His strength and light as I move forward. Already my body feels lighter and more at ease. It's going to be okay. I am going to be okay. I will have the strength and wisdom I need to do whatever needs to be done. God will make sure of it. He promised and He always keeps His promises.

So for now I'll hand over all my worries and trust them to His care. I'll rest beneath His wings and arise refreshed and ready for whatever life brings.