“I run my life…or is it running me?”
– Lady Antebellum
As I was listening while wiping down the counter-tops, the words stopped me dead in my tracks and forced me to answer – who runs my life? Is it me? I don’t want the answer to be “yes” but lately the answer is…yes. I’ve been running my life.
But really… it’s been running me.
On good days in which the focus is clear and my eyes are on the cross, I’m actually not running my life – He is. As it should be.
On not-so-good days? I run it. And it doesn’t work out so well.
I’ve been burning the proverbial candle at both ends for weeks now and the exhaustion, the lack of inspiration, and the frustration is seeping into my being. One negative emotion breeds another and without warning, they have slowly begun to take me hostage.
Before we even know it, we go further than we had ever planned to go and we discover those unwelcome guests have seeped into our marrow and, God forbid, our hearts.
Today our pastor shared a riveting sermon in which I was certain he might have written just for me though I’m not such a narcissist I believe it to be true. I’m pretty sure I’m in good company with the struggles I’m facing – the weary. The weak. The burdened. Those in need of rest.
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
Eagles. Of course, we think of them as a symbol of strength but in actuality, they are somewhat weak and can’t even ascend into the atmosphere without a “thermal”, or a warm patch of air that allows birds to soar.
These thermals can allow them to fly up to 300 to 400 feet without flapping their wings. Even once.
And what about those birds who flap their wings too much? They eventually tire out and need rest.
I’ve been flapping my wings at double-speed and I’m in need of much rest. I need a “thermal” to help me glide.
That “thermal” is Him.
The thirst is overwhelming, the hunger piercing.
“If you look to the Lord, He’ll exchange your limited abilities with His unlimited strength,” our pastor shared. (Click here for sermon)
He will not grow tired or weary. He will renew our strength. We will soar on the wings of eagles, run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint.
He will provide the thermals, the jets of air that force us up higher, that allow us to simply glide, to travel farther and not grow weary.
I started this blog as platform for a fire I can’t squelch, a need as critical to my survival as water and food. I simply can’t not write.
But I also know when I need a period of rest. I share this with you only because when we are weary, tired, unfocused and blind of the cross, we must stop all else and “get right with God.”
To keep writing through this exhaustion would make me feel like a phony, like I’m not being straight and real with you and oh, how I would never wish that to be true.
Let’s rest, friends, shall we? Take the time you would normally allot to read my words (and oh how I’m so very humbled that you do) and read the best of words instead.
Get in His word and out of mine – I’ll be doing the same.
I’ll see you next week, beloveds.
“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
I’m linking with Jen from Finding Heaven for the Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood…
thank you for this. austin and i were just talking last night about how tired we were and wondering WHY we are so tired all of the time. this opened my eyes to the realization that is right in front of me….i’m tired because I’M trying to run my life. i need to get back to relying on my “thermal” :) have a blessed week and get that rest and rejuvenation!
We all have seasons like this. Seasons when we get too comfortable and independent. We try and do it all ourselves. That was never God’s plan for us. Bravo to you for realizing it and getting back where God wants you to be – trusting in and leaning on Him.
I wholeheartedly at this place.
xo
I have a print with that passage hanging in my hallway, just outside of the room where I am now sitting and typing. Now when I look at it, I will think about this post, remember to catch the thermals! By the way, I KNOW my pastor is always preaching directly at me! I’ve often asked him if he isn’t tempted to just stop and look at me and ask, “Nancy, are you listening?” Get some rest–enjoy God’s gift! Blessings.
I have been at this place so many times. I have learned the hard way it is a lack of Him…His words…silence…and just stillness with Him that stokes those fires and reminds me of my love. My passion is so similar to yours to write…because you just cannot not do it.
Take this time and rest sweet friend. Rejoice in Him, Rest in Him.
<3
There is such wisdom in your words, sweet friend. Enjoy your rest. Enjoy Him.
Rest in the Lord, what safety is found when we do that. Hope you find lots of strength in your rest!
Thank you my dear. We must be living on very similar planes as I have been feeling the same way and I just want to rest, get away and envelop myself in Him. Chat with or read you next week — enjoy! :)
You can see why the Lord used an eagle to teach us about strength and mightyness! They are so majestic….and if we would only rest on the wings of our Father….ahhhhh, it just makes a girls tension fall away. I am with you, I want to make a conscious choices as to where my energy is going and why. Great wisdom again from you, love that!
Love the idea of the eagle/thermal and me/God. Beautiful – Thank you for that. And good for you for recognizing the need for a break. We all feel that way at times and you will be better off for it. Can’t wait to come back next week and catch up then! Take care.
What a wonderful picture, enjoy your rest…
Yes, enjoy Him. Isaiah 40 is a favorite and 40:31 was my mama’s favorite, though I didn’t know about the ‘thermals’.
Praying for precious rest…nothing else truly matters but beholding Him…long and beautiful may you see Him and be changed in these days friend:)
rest – refreshing – redirection – relationship! =) Hubs was wondering a loud the other night as we scurried about life “do we have our priorities in order”.
praying for you!
Stef
Yes, life has been running me.
I haven’t been out and about in blogging world lately either. So good to “hear” all of your voices and catch up a little.
It’s not about me running my life vs. my life running me. It’s about my turning it over so He can run my life. So simple. Why is it so hard?
Enjoy a time of sabbath. May you be refreshed and renewed and recommitted to gliding powered by your thermal.
I know that God def does a lot better job than me at running things!
Wait until you read the post I have written for Some Girl’s Website tomorrow! We are in the same boat, my friend!
Hi, I ran across your blog from hip2bmom. I am a new follower of your blog. I love your most recent post and felt it really coming close to home. Thank you for spreading the truth. I am also a mom, new one at that so it has been trying and taxing. I love the Lord and am grateful that I am a daughter of such a wonderful and forgiving Savior. I am a foodie, I love love to cook, try new foods, try new recipes, writing my own recipes, and also an avid reader. I read several books at a time, sometimes. Glad to meet you and glad I stumbled upon your blog. Hope you can join mine.
http://1tootiefoodie.blogspot.com
I was not sure if my comment posted. Well, I stumbled upon your site from hip2bmom. I wanted to thank you for the post and let you know that it came close to home and really reached out to me. I am so grateful that I am a daughter of such a loving, powerful, and forgiving Savior. I am a mom, a new one at that and that is sometimes trying. It is so easy to lead your own life and not let God take the wheel. I am a foodie, I love to cook and make up recipes, I love trying new food, I love coffee, and sometimes I read more than 1 book at a time (usually one on paperback, one on my Nook and my Bible daily). Glad to have found your blog. Hope to see you join mine.
http://1tootiefoodie.blogspot.com
So true! Thanks Natalie! :-)
Love,
Traci @ Ordinary Inspirations
So funny to read these last posts, (and the one that comes after this one) as I have been NOT reading your blog for the last few weeks because I HAVE BEEN SO BUSY. Hmm… So not only are you needing to not write right now to be near Him, I need to not READ you right now to make more time to be near Him. The only bad thing is, I didn’t use that extra time to be near Him. :( Now that I’ve caught up with your thoughts, I think I’ve been pointed in the right direction. :)
Many blessings to you Natalie!