C-19 Reflection #51: Weary

C~19 Reflection (#51)

Theme: Weary

Scripture Readings:

  Isaiah 40:29-31

He gives strength to the weary

    and increases the power of the weak.

30 

Even youths grow tired and weary,

    and young men stumble and fall;

31 

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.

Matthew 11:28

“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.

Reflection:

It’s taken me a bit longer than usual to get this reflection out this morning because there is a certain sensitivity that I’m feeling about it.

I’m beginning to sense weariness setting in, even in the eyes of our public leaders as they present before the cameras everyday, as well as in the voices, texts, observations and requests of my friends, family and colleagues. I mean this is stretching out.

I am starting to grow weary myself in some deeper, soulful areas.  How I am growing tired isn’t usually a strong category of reflection for me personally, and this most recent sense is only beginning to quietly scratch its way into my awareness. These things do have a way of sneaking up on us. Even though we don’t usually reflect in this way, I think it might be a good thing to explore and confess our weariness. Maybe this is the way forward to finding rest.

Probably you are experiencing some sort of “weary” in certain areas too.  Maybe these things are so very deep down that you can’t seem to catch a hold of them or maybe they are just below the surface and almost on your tongue. We shouldn’t be surprised by these developments, especially when we are dealing with so many unusual potential sources and levels of fatigue.  Whether we realize it or not, we are all carrying a certain weight in the form of juggling a whole set of relationships, questions, concerns, responsibilities, decisions, disagreements, fears, losses, disappointments and other sources of sadness. These are things that can linger all day long and keep us up at night at the best of times.

While I’m the type of person who usually doesn’t shy away from sharing about personal things through conversation, writing and speaking, I’m going to hesitate from doing that too soon, in order to slow down and reflect on these ever so subtly encroaching sources of tiredness.

One thing I believe about is that Jesus is God’s source of rest for the weariness of the world. I want to receive that rest and I want you to find that rest too.

1. As you examine your heart, be sure to name the source or sources of your personal fatigue. If you can’t find them, but you know they are there, ask the Holy Spirit to help you search them out. Bring these sources to Jesus who is the source of our rest.

2. Be sure to notice the weariness of those around you, so that you can become a part of their soul care.

3. Pray for yourself, for your loved ones and for the “rest of God” to take its place and have its influence in the weariness of the world.