Strength for the Journey

“They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

I really didn’t want to go to church on Sunday.  I was tired.  I had been tired for the past 2 weeks.  I thought I was just physically tired.  After a few days, I realized I was also emotionally drained.  I walked and prayed.  I admitted to God that I didn’t feel like going to church and I asked him for a refreshing.  He started answering my prayer.

The sermon, Strength for the Journey, was taken from John 16:12-15 and Deuteronomy 30:11-20.  My pastor compared our journey through life to track & field.  She said that during a sprint, you can expend all of your energy at once.  During a marathon, you cannot.  Use all your energy at once, and you won’t be able to finish the race.  She said that life was a marathon.  We have to run in such a way that we can finish the race.  Her instructions on how to run that race were:

1. To allow the Spirit of Truth to guide us (2 Corinthians 2:14)
2. To order our lives in accordance with the word of God (Deuteronomy 30:16)

She did, however, caution us that living our lives according to God’s word would bring us into conflict with the world’s system, which tells us that our value is tied to what we do [for work] and what we have.  Be encouraged, she said, because there will ultimately be a blessing.  My word of wisdom for today is strong, as we’re encouraged to be strong in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10).

It also helps that the pastor delivering the sermon is spirited.  I respect and appreciate the fervency and intensity with which she imparts her messages.  I’m not sure I could listen to some sermon about having strength from someone talking to me in a monotone voice and looking like she herself wanted to take a nap.  (If you’re in a business where you have to give presentations, learn how to do it well.  www.toastmasters.org)

I thank God for answered prayer.