Tip of My Iceberg

This time of year in Florida, we’re embracing rainy, muggy weather that makes you feel the need for a shower the minute you leave your front door. In Colorado, however, you can have 80-degree weather one day and snow drifts the next.

When I’m feeling sticky and sweaty, the snow sounds amazing.

Beck, at six years old, has enjoyed hiking with his folks since he was little, following different paths through forests and streams. They found a rocky ledge that was colorfully painted with moss and lichen. Still surrounded by snow.

Beck’s a legitimate lounge lizard when he wants to be. Ask him to strike a pose, and he’s all in.

He understands when he needs to rest. He will push his limits as far as he feels comfortable, but when he’s done, he knows to slow down.

I’m not as capable as he is when it comes to resting. I’m thoroughly American when it comes to acting as if how much and what I produce defines my value.

The truth is I’m more than what I can accomplish. My abilities to achieve ebb and flow with my circumstances, strengths, and my focus on what I’m doing. Some days I’m capable, energized, and have a vision for what I’m doing.

Some days, not so much.

Rest is a gift God has given us because we are finite, limited in our understanding and strength, and restricted in our skill sets. He knows we need to pause, to allow our minds, hearts, and bodies a chance to refresh. Even Jesus took time to get away from the crowds to be alone and revive Himself with time with His Father.

When the Jewish nation was taken captive by Babylon, they were fearful they’d never be released. They were there for seventy years, and many saw friends and family die as time passed. They were weary of this imprisonment, tired of being away from home and all that was familiar to them. Isaiah the prophet spoke to them of their exhaustion and pointed them to hope.

“Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He NEVER grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of His understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31

The picture Isaiah paints is that of an eagle, which, as it ages, will molt and lose old feathers. But it grows new ones to revitalize its ability to fly, restoring it to a more youthful energy. It becomes better able to soar as it did when it was younger.

Life is busy, heavy, cluttered, and often challenging. We weren’t made to go non-stop without an occasional reprieve. If we don’t listen to our minds, our bodies will tell us we need rest. Sometimes we need to “molt” those stresses and anxieties so we can be refreshed and rested.

We can receive that rest from God.

Beck has the wisdom of youth to know when he’s tired, and he does something about it.

I need to learn from his rhythms so that I can rest and do the things I long to do.

My God is my strength. He restores me like no one else can.