“He gives strength to the weary, and increases the strength of the weak. Even the young grow weary and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar away on wings like eagles; they will run and not be weary; they will walk and not be weary.” Isaiah 40:29-31
I don’t know about you, but my emails have been bombarded with offers promoting everything from million dollar business ideas to the world’s best supplements and everything in between. I hesitated to send emails to my subscribers for fear of adding to the chaos.
Less than a month into the new year, everyone seems to be running at high speed on the treadmill of life. I fear it won’t be long before all these sprinters are exhausted and running on steam.
And you? Did you start the new year racing only to feel exhausted by the end of the first week? Although it’s tempting to join in the frenzy this year, I decided to walk at a new pace. It is a simpler, gentler rhythm set by the Holy Spirit that calls me to stop, look, and listen.
Just as we teach our children how to cross the street safely, God places His loving hand in front of me, keeping me from darting into traffic. I love this visual, don’t you? The Lord stands with us at the edge of opportunity, letting us know when it is safe to cross.
If you’ve been sprinting since January 1st and are already running out of breath, here are a few things you can do to slow your pace while God directs you:
Identify what makes sense and what doesn’t make sense
We are so accustomed to attributing the Psalms to David that it might be surprising to learn that Psalm 127 is written by his son, Solomon. It begins by saying: “Except the Lord build the house, those who build it labor in vain. Except the Lord watches over the city, the watchman watches in vain. In vain do you rise early and go to bed late, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved.”Psalm 127:1-2).
This passage reminds me of the Book of Ecclesiastes where Solomon writes in a state of despair, saying: “Absolutely meaningless! Everything is meaningless. What do men gain from all the labors they do under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3).
It seems that one of the wisest kings in all of history was exhausted himself. Having riches, pleasures, and everything his heart desired, he still struggled to find peace. And the peace of God is what sustains us through it all. Amen?
When our priorities get mixed up, we spend too much time and energy chasing something, Nothingto satisfy us. But over time, this leads to exhaustion and can even lead to burnout. Identifying what makes sense and what doesn’t is a great way to slow down your pace and step into exactly what God has called you to do.
Here are some questions to help you prioritize:
-What gives you energy? What is zapping your energy?
-What are three things you can (and should) give up today?
-What is the one thing you would like to start this week?
-Who are the people closest to you and how do you make them a priority?
-Are you spending time with God, and how can you increase time with Him?
As Solomon said, “Except the LORD build the house, those who build it labor in vain.” » It reminds us that all the work we do, all our effort and effort, is meaningless without God’s favor and blessing.
Reevaluate what consumes your time and attention and eliminate non-essential activities. Once you have more space in your schedule, you will be able to breathe deeply again, without rushing in the face of external pressures that ultimately make no sense.
Refine your goals and let go of the rest
Recently I was challenged to try a journaling exercise by listing 50 things I wanted to do, have, or be in the next year. As I looked at my list, I felt a little overwhelmed, thinking I would never achieve my “dreams.” But when I narrowed it down to a few key goals, the finish line appeared.
If you’re feeling fuzzy and overwhelmed, it may be time to refine your dreams and narrow your horizons. Even if you can’t come up with 50 things you’d like to do, have, or be, write down 10. Circle the top three and go from there.
Here are some goals you could list:
-Travel to a place you’ve never been before
– Volunteer for a local ministry or community action
-Join a hiking club
-Create a blog
Romans 12:2 reminds us: “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the will of God: his good and acceptable and perfect will.”
Refining our dreams through prayer reveals areas in which we have conformed to the world’s way of thinking and doing. This refocuses our hearts on God’s will and helps us eliminate what has no place. And when we have a clear understanding of what’s most important, we can move forward without all the extra stuff draining us.
Stay Fueled for the Journey
The promotion of self-care has exploded in recent years, and rightly so. I’m not talking about self-indulgence here, but rather daily care of our heart, mind, body and spirit. After all, we were created as multi-faceted people and need a multi-faceted approach to stay motivated during the journey.
If you use vapors, fill out your self-care appointment calendar, including:
-Afternoon naps
-Walks outside
-Date with your spouse or spend time with friends
-Personal retreats to rest and pray
If it’s not on the calendar, it probably won’t happen. Treat these appointments as commitments you can’t miss to keep you energized and in great shape.
Ultimately, the world is full of quick deals that inspire us to “take action” and “sprint to success.” However, there is a gentle rhythm set by the Holy Spirit, a rhythm that invites us into gentle communion with Him. Will you take the time today to hear His still, small voice telling you to stop, look, and listen?
A prayer for the person who runs on fumes:
Merciful God, please bless the person reading this today, the one who is exhausted and exhausted from everything pulling them in different directions. Lord, you know their situation better than anyone. Please break the noise and draw them into Your peaceful presence. Call them deeper into the pastures, beside still waters, where they can think clearly and realign themselves with Your will. Help them eliminate the things that aren’t essential and find joy in the goals that matter. Refuel them with Your Holy Spirit, breathing new life into them and providing them with strength for the journey. In the name of Jesus, amen.
More resources for your trip:
A prayer for God to help you through a grueling phase of life
A prayer when you are tired, weary and ready to give up
How to Renew Your Faith When You’re Tired
Photo credit: ©Aaron Amat
