Maranatha! (Come Lord Jesus!)

I'm tired.

Most days, exhaustion is a result of pouring myself into my vocation and into life in general and it's okay. But my tiredness is different. This tiredness is a chronic condition that plagues me with each passing day. My growing tired state is fed by anger in people, bitterness within political conversations and the general sense of divisiveness in our world. It has drained me and left a shell of the man that God created and formed in His image. Then I am reminded of the promises of God and Jesus to me (to us).

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and

learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is

easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV)

And...

"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. He gives strength to the

weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble

and fall; 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)

For all the pain, suffering, and hardship believers must endure, for all the tired hearts and minds, and for all the division in our world, God provides relief. While I seek a respite each day from the stressors around me, God reminds me of the time coming when division will be set aside, when arguing, anger, hate, and bitterness will be replaced with worship. It is imperative that followers of Jesus remain steadfast in our faith in God (God is good all the time) to make everything right. I tend to tell people to 'keep the faith' and yet some days I am the one who needs to hear this.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude

should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God,did not consider equality with

God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing,taking the very nature of a servant,being made

in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient

to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name

that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,in heaven and on earth and

under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father."

(Philippians 2:3-11, NIV)

Today, if you are tired and weary, join me in seeking the holy rest our souls need and long for. Let's keep our eyes on Jesus who is the author and perfecter of our faith. Jesus Christ is with us and that's all that matters.

"He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus (MARANATHA!). The

grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen." (Revelation 22:20-21, NIV)