But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
          They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run
           and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint.
                                                                          Isaiah 40:31 NLT
 
Feeling tired, even though the year has barely begun?  I confess I was weary a few weeks ago, so when I was led to Isaiah 40:28-31 that promises to give new strength to those who trust in the Lord so we can soar on wings like eagles, I just sighed and kept going! That can happen with some of those familiar promises.  However, in the subsequent days the Spirit kept bringing me back to similar themes, and I finally realized I had to stop and listen.

First, I had to hand over all the concerns that had snuck into my mind.  “Here you are, Jesus.  I trust you with these, even though I don’t see the end yet.” 

Then, I had to confess the reasons they had managed to get past the guards of my mind.  For example, there were voices of accusation that were echoes of my past. “You aren’t good enough.  You will be all alone.” “What?!  I already dealt with you!  I nailed you to the Cross.  I have always belonged to the Father, and Jesus purchased me through his sacrifice.  I am precious, his treasure, paid for with his blood.” And so, the discussion continued. Sound familiar?

I recognized at that point that I was feeling tired because I had stopped my habit of asking God who he wanted to be to me that day.  He is always enough, sufficient for all my needs.  I knew my trust in God was dependent on my knowledge and relationship with him.  The more I know who God is to and for me, the more I trust him.  The more I trust him with my stuff, big and small, the lighter I feel.  And the more energy I have left over to live by faith, flying over the minor difficulties, not letting them drag me down and make me tired.

So, as a result of not intentionally renewing my trust in God, I had stopped soaring on the air currents of the Holy Spirit, and more and more had drifted back to flapping my own wings.  God forgave me, and I forgave myself.  Sigh.  Then, I focused on the power, beauty, kindness, eternal love, and all that I knew God was, and suddenly, I was soaring again!  I hope I see you soaring with me today.

Dear friends, be blessed as you take all your tiredness, doubts, worries and depression to the Cross of Christ.  As you kneel there, be blessed to remember who Jesus is for you, and who you are to him.  Don’t get up until you trust him with every little bit that is dragging you down!  I bless you to have every empty place be filled with God’s love, peace and joy.  Be blessed to soar on Holy Spirit breezes and feel the joy rising!  You were created to soar! Amen.

Mary Sumner ~ February 3, 2021

And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again.
We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.
 2 Corinthians 1:10 NLT

As we leave 2020 and look back, I am sure you are like me in thanking God for getting us through that year and even recognizing all the miraculous ways he saved us from danger, blessed us through the fear and held us when we cried out for help. He has proven his grace and faithfulness, even in our losses.

One of my favorite verses from my early Christian life is the verse above from 2 Corinthians. Paul is looking back on a very difficult time in his life, when he faced death, and tries to make sense of it in light of who he knows Christ to be and who he is in Christ. Just like us. As I read it, I feel his triumphant relief at having survived and his exuberant realization of what God had taught him through the trials. My prayer for you is that you, too, feel as Paul did. “It was painful. It was bad, but God was in it with me and used it to grow me stronger in my faith, and now I am sure that he can, and will, rescue me and use all things for my good.”

As 2021 begins, let’s stand together at the Cross of Christ, now empty, and celebrate together the resurrected, incarnated life of Jesus in us. It is alive and growing! The old is put to death, and a glorious new life has begun. We step into it by keeping our spirits focused on Jesus, who guided us through the mine fields of 2020, nursed our wounds and healed our hearts, and now stands in our spirits as a testimony of our Father’s faithfulness, promising never to leave, nor forsake us in the future. He has rescued us, and will continue to rescue us as we help each other by praying and declaring victory over ourselves in the steadfast truth of his Word. This will bring much glory to the Father.

Here is the verse above in context. 2 Corinthians 1:8b-11: We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 10 And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. 11 And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.

Dear friends, be blessed with overflowing joy as you believe the truth that God has promised to rescue you.  Release all fear and anxiety about the future as you remember that Jesus has already been there and is waiting to walk with you, holding your hand and whispering guidance through his Spirit. Be blessed as you choose to pray for others who need encouragement and strength in their dark days, knowing their victories of faith bring much glory to the Father. Be blessed as you face 2021, choose to rely only on God, and declare out loud, “Jesus will continue to rescue me!” Amen.

Mary Sumner ~ January 6, 2021