40-Day Devotion, Day 20

PREPARATION: READ JAMES 5:13-18

Sleeping Bag: Rest

This past June, some of my friends and I climbed the highest mountain in our country. At over 12,200 feet, it was a daunting task, but I foolishly thought it wouldn’t be that difficult. Boy, was I wrong! Within an hour of embarking on the trail, our hike turned into a literal climb. We were forced to pull ourselves up and over rock after rock. About halfway up the mountain, I remember thinking, “There is absolutely no way I can make it to the top. I’m exhausted!” And yet, we kept moving. After almost six hours up the severe terrain, with “Jell-O” legs and aching feet, we finally made it to the peak. The view from the top was breathtaking and definitely worth the pain.
Let’s be honest: in our Christian walk, exhaustion is inevitable. As any Christ- follower knows, trying to navigate through this world and truly walk with Jesus can be a difficult, obstacle-filled climb, one that includes periods when we just feel worn out. Perhaps you are feeling that exhaustion now. So, what do we do when we are weary and tired? Of course, we all know we can turn to Jesus during those times, but what does that even mean?
During the climb I just described, the most physically demanding thing I have ever done, I learned some important lessons about dealing with exhaustion during our journey with Christ. Each of these lessons from my experience goes hand-in-hand with Biblical principles:
The night before my climb, I slept horribly. I had not been exercising regularly. I simply wasn’t prepared. Now, transfer that to our Christian walk: If we are going to survive those hard climbs, we need to begin now to condition ourselves. This is why Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
Did you catch that? Paul talks about “strict training.” Think about that. What does “strict training” mean in regards to our walk with Jesus?
During the toughest parts of my climb, I found that in order to make it to the top I simply had to keep moving when I didn’t want to. One foot in front of the other, and then again, and again. As Christians, sometimes that’s all we can do, too. Even when it is tough, keep doing what you know is right. Make the most of every opportunity. Read the Word. Pray continuously. Preach the Gospel. Continue to sow in the Sprit. Don’t give up. Heed the warning of Galatians 6:5: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
When I was telling myself I couldn’t make it, one friend came alongside me and made sure I succeeded. Everyone else had gone ahead, and he could have too, but he stayed with me and gently nudged me on. In Exodus 17, as long as Moses was holding up the staff of God, the people succeeded against their enemies. When he grew tired, he needed others to hold up his hands to secure the victory. In the same way, there will most certainly be times when we need others to hold us up. May we not be afraid to confess our weakness and frailty and ask for help from others when we need it most.
I’ll be honest: one reason I was able to keep moving was because I wanted a picture from the top. I wanted to see the view and take a glorious picture of me conquering the mountain. Having that goal in mind helped to propel me all the way to the peak. In the same way, our ultimate reward should strengthen us as we walk with Christ. Do you remember what Paul said in Philippians 3:13-14? “[Forget] what is behind and [strain] toward what is ahead, [and] press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] Heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Think on that. Better yet, live for that. Live to please your Father in Heaven.
You might call me crazy, but I think God supernaturally gave me the strength I lacked to make it to the top of that mountain. Isaiah 40:29 says, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” When we grow tired, we have a reservoir of strength to draw upon through the Holy Spirit in us. He is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine and, when we come to the end of our (feeble) strength, He will often carry us much, much further.
I would not have made it to the peak had I not stopped for periods of rest along the way. Jesus Himself tells us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” As we fix our eyes on Him, we can rest securely, knowing our peace with God is found in Him, not in our works. Rest in the arms of Christ and let Him refresh and revive you. Isn’t that what we all need sometimes? (To continue reading, go to my comment below.)