– Scripture:

So who is like me? Who holds a candle to me?” says The Holy.  Look at the night skies: Who do you think made all this? Who marches this army of stars out each night, counts them off, calls each by name so magnificent! so powerful! and never overlooks a single one? Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, “God has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me”?

Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? God doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.

And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.

                            Isaiah 40:25-31 MSG

– Reflection:

Have you ever hit the wall? I’m not talking about the incredible hurdle faced by an exhausted endurance runner. I’m talking about the times when you “reach a point where you feel unable to continue doing something because it is very difficult.” You might hit a wall at work, or in your marriage, or with your creative process, or with a debilitating diagnosis in your family or yourself. Hitting the wall is when we face our own powerlessness and that isn’t pleasant for any of us. This week has been a week which is why this message is so late. One of our sons tore his ACL playing basketball for his school team. He has been in great spirits which is great and powerful in itself. I have been around injury, my wife has too but when it is your own kid it is different it seems. I know he will be ok but my wife is very worried and understandably so. What I know though is that GOD has this situation and it will be handled. It is all in his hands, and completely done in my mind. The world can’t have this one at all.

Where do we go from here?

When we realize our own lack and belief, we might give up. We might feel helpless and understand ourselves as victims. We might be ashamed, not wanting to admit that we can’t handle the challenges of life. We might create a false reality to hide our weakness. Isaiah 40 states that in our weakness is where we find our spirituality and strength. It is the lesson that cultivates out of human powerlessness not helplessness and despair, but having and openness to the power that alone can save, God’s power. When we hit the wall, we are in a position to be spiritually open to God’s presence and power.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, when we hit the wall, when we hit rock bottom, when we throw in the towel, when wehit a new low, when we break down, give us faith to open ourselves to your powerful presence. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.