Waiting for Strength

I don’t have a thing to say this day that can be scribbled down in a few moments. I am going through a dry spell as far as creativity is concerned. It may be the gray days and being cooped up inside while recuperating from surgery. I overheard a conversation recently in which one person told another, “You know, even if the (Christmas) holidays weren’t particularly busy, the beginning of a new year wears me out! I feel like I’m at the starting line of a marathon, but I’m still sweating and breathing hard, looking for the finish line of the one I’m still running!” That about captures how it feels at least some of these days. What can be done, I wonder?

I know that just buckling down and trying harder has not been the answer in the past. In my coming and going recently, I came across a plaque that says, “When I wait, You strengthen my heart.” It’s a paraphrase of Psalm 27:14, and it is like medicine for my soul. Reading it again helps me in between marathons. I bought the plaque and it hangs above the candy jar outside my office, because I need reminding that waiting upon God is a source of strength. It helps me clarify what is important and necessary, because I’ve never been very good at waiting. What scripture verses or hymns are like medicine to YOUR soul? I think it is important to share this good news that helps us in times of waiting.

This coming Sunday is the 5th Sunday in Epiphany, and the gospel lesson I will be preaching on is Luke 5:1-11. It’s the story of Jesus meeting the disciples before they became his disciples. And it is story about trusting God between times of want and plenty. He reorients them to waiting upon God, and what a miraculous outcome!
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Bless you BIG TIME as you remember to BE the church!