November Magazine Leader

The world seems to be so busy and under pressure. Who would have thought that life beyond lockdown could be so frantic? It seems that running to keep up is not fast enough.

The sustained business and sense of pressure have resulted in many people simply feeling fatigued and that their usual get up and go simply got up and went. The ‘to do list’ looks too long for the time there is in a day or even a week. It’s overwhelming.

Where do we turn at such times? We may have a relative who kindly commiserates with us. We may have a friend who helps us prioritise. We may review our timetable to maintain a better work-life balance. We may escape to the country on a good walk with the dog or find respite in a much-needed vacation. These are important and helpful things to do. But they may not attend to the core issues.

When we read the Bible there are all manner of good things for us to discover both about God and ourselves. The Lord makes many promises, and one comes to mind for such a situation:

‘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 40v28-31)

We are reminded of the Lord’s strength that never fails. The Lord God made everything and is the all-powerful one. Our own strength is limited: whether we are young or older. Like the old advert for Duracell batteries, we might feel like the operated rabbits who come to a grinding halt and need fresh batteries! Strength is found when we come to the Lord. He rejuvenates us so that we can soar on wings like eagles. What a marvellous picture this is! Let’s put this to the test and discover how God is faithful to his promises.

Paul Kingman