Sunday, May 27, 2007

Side Note - May 2007 - Everlasting God

I'm sitting here at my computer... it's mid-morning on Sunday, and we are preparing for our family devotional time. As I seek God's lead for our little bible lesson time that we do in between singing a worship song and praying, I am listening to Chris Tomlin's song called "Everlasting God". The words to the song come straight from Isaiah 40:28-31.

"28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 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."

- ISAIAH 40:28-31 (NIV)

How appropriate for this time. Even the young folk get tired? Though 33, I feel like an old man right now. A really really old man. Must be that pain in every joint I feel after playing soccer (aka "football") yesterday like I was 15 again. I'm not.

Anyhow, the past month has been quite the marathon. Between the dance performances; special services at church (for which I assist or lead with worship); visits to the Young Saeng Korean Church (as mentioned below); sending out the latest round of prayer letters; meeting with Pastors, friends, family; medical physicals for our work visas; fixing up the house to get it ready to sell; assisting a young mother who needs us to watch her child while she's in the hospital for a long stay; and staying up late last night with some friends at our house... I am tired. And this morning, a call from my mom that reminds me of my dad's health struggles. I am weary.

BUT (and don't you love that in God the story doesn't stop there at my last paragraph) - my God is strong. The Bible tells us that in our weakness God shows His strength. We may be tired, we may be weary, but God's glory shines around and brightens up the path. "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength". My strength needs a little renewing right now. That's a GREAT place to be. When that refreshing wave of God's power washes over me, that just simply FEELS SOOOOOO GOOD! When I find that God is carrying me with His strength is when I think I experience His touch the fullest. So, I rejoice in the struggles... I look forward to being worn out and tired. That's when I can most easily say that "I will decrease, that He may increase".

So, this morning, I think we'll just sit back and enjoy our Everlasting God as a family. He is good.