I am having one of those days—one of those days when my mind is cloudy, and I desire to meditate on God’s Word but cannot seem to focus. I need to be productive. I need to write a blog post, but my heart and mind do not seem to have what it takes.
I have read several scripture passages and a few theological topics, but nothing. I desire to think deeply and edify my soul with his Word, but I am stuck at point A, and there seems to be an insurmountable barrier between me and point B. A mountain of lethargy stands in my way. It tells me it can only be removed by sheer effort—I have none.
To strive against my sluggish soul and not waste time, I begin writing about my listlessness. It is the only thing in my vision. I cannot see past it. There is only one way to make this experiment profitable: to turn the topic toward Jesus. If he is the answer to every need, he should also be the focus of this moment. Jesus faced exhaustion and heaviness. He worked while tired, so how should this knowledge help us in similar situations?
We first need to recognize that he handled such times perfectly. He never faltered. You would think that would not be helpful in a time like this because we never measure up to his righteousness. So what should we gain from the knowledge of his perfection?
Several practical applications come to mind, but only one seems to matter at this moment. I am not God, and he does not expect me to be. I do not need to strive harder and make it work. Instead, I need to rest in him and his completed work on my behalf.
God has not called me to be productive, first and foremost. He has called me to glorify him, which sometimes involves leaving productivity behind and resting in Him. The Gospel of Jesus is not about trying harder or doing better. It is the exact opposite. It is rest for the weary.
In times like this, we do not need someone to say, “Do better.” We know we need to do better; that is why we are lamenting our situation. Instead, a true friend would tell us, “Even if you do better, it will not be enough.” That is what the law and Christ’s perfect obedience should communicate to us. Jesus did what you and I cannot, and our trust must be in him. Our righteousness is like filthy rags, but we are counted righteous in him. He lived the life we could not and died the death we deserved
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I cannot remove the mountain blocking my way by sheer effort—only faith in Jesus can move mountains. Effort alone will only produce burdensome toil. On the other hand, the Gospel provides joy and peace in believing, that we may abound with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit, and the joy of the Lord is our strength.
Meditating on this truth gives me hope. It radically transforms my understanding of moments like these. Instead of thinking I need to push through and write something, even if it is drudgery, the good news of the Gospel lifts my soul. Hopefully, that will come through in this short writing, but even if I fall short, I am still accepted in the Beloved.
Walking Home
Richard Baxter lived 400 years ago, but he still was able to help me recently with some good advice. He wrote that God’s people should “take one walk every day in the New Jerusalem.” He meant that we should intentionally remember God’s promises, and live right now in the light of them. But I love the way he said it, and that’s where this poem came from:
Walking Home
In my mind
I walk the street
The golden street
That leads me home
And all around is
Peace and song
Within the gates
Where I belong
With joyful tears
I greet my friends
Until the golden
Pavement ends
And at the Throne
Where life begins
I know, at last
I’m home
And everyday
I take this walk
Inside my mind
Though now I find
My path is thorny
Rocky ground
But I can see
My destination
And I start my
Celebration
Knowing that
This road will
Lead me home
Credit - Sethlewis.ie
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