Revue: He Lifts the Weary

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!'” ~Psalm 91:1-2

© 2017 Lynn Abbott

“Bone weary,” my grandmother used to call it.

Of course, as a kindergartener, I didn’t much understand. Indeed, I was the “I’m not tired” kid.

I suppose this is true for many, if not most, children. Even so, bedtime and I became the family joke.

Slumped in my chair, head and hair drooping dangerously close to the ice-cream bowl, I was a prime candidate for the land of Nod.

When Mom gently touched my shoulder, I looked up at her from beneath my droopy lids.

I was legendary in the annals of kid-dom.

“Time for bed,” she gently said.

My back stiffened, and my posture immediately improved. With eyes wide, and a huge grin plastered on my impish face, I predictably piped, “I’m not tired.”

I never was. No matter how late…no matter how active the day had been…I would never admit any need for rest.

I was legendary in the annals of kid-dom

But all good things must come to an end, so they say.

You better believe it. I grew up, and all that “adulting” is enough to wear any of us out…

Work,

Marriage,

Family,

And the endless responsibilities and activities that accompany all of it.

Perhaps, like me, you frequently find yourself saying, “when this season is over, things will finally settle down and I will catch my breath.”

Yet, one busy season seems to bleed into another. And downtime becomes an elusive dream.

Yup, the adult in me would now pay big bucks for the naps I resisted as a kindergartener.

Without a doubt, it has been one of those weeks, months and years.

However, after I pragmatically considered all my options this past week, I finally settled on what should have been my first choice: running to my heavenly Father.

On this particular occasion, I thumbed through my grandmother’s Bible, looking for much-needed encouragement and rest.

I gently turned the onion-thin and well-worn pages to the book of 1 Kings. I knew I needed to immerse myself in God’s truth and grace.

Yup, the adult in me would now pay big bucks for the naps I resisted as a kindergartener.

And so I turned to the story of a favorite Old Testament saint, Elijah.

Now, there’s a guy who understood what it meant to be “bone weary.”

After an overwhelming victory at Mount Carmel, Elijah –the seemingly powerful and bold prophet of God– collapsed in exhaustion. When he awakened from well-earned sleep, an angel provided nourishment.

Then, scripture records an event that captures the tenderness and grace that God offers His children.

Much to my surprise, Elijah was not reprimanded for his weariness nor was he scolded for his complaints. Rather, God met him where he was.

Just outside the mountainside cave where Elijah hid from his enemies, a mighty wind passed; an earthquake and fire followed.

Yet, God did not speak to Elijah through the wind, earthquake, or fire.

Elijah understood what it meant to be “bone weary.”

Instead, a gentle whisper restored Elijah’s weary soul (1 Kings 19:12). Grace comforted and supplied the prophet’s needs.

God had a game plan for His prophet that included not only rest but help for the remainder of Elijah’s journey.

In the quiet, Elijah received Abba’s gentle and compassionate direction.  From that point forward, a young prophet named Elisha would accompany Elijah.

Abba’s yoke is that of grace (Matthew 11:28-30).

Elijah’s experience teaches this simple truth: in the stillness, the child finds God’s gracious plan, (Psalm 46:10). All is stripped away, and God’s presence renews and restores.

For this reason, when my tasks and responsibilities overwhelm me, I especially remind myself to run into the heavenly throne room and to climb into Abba’s lap.

In fact, when my schedule is extremely hectic, it is all the more crucial that I daily surrender my “to do” lists to my heavenly Father.

Abba’s yoke is that of grace.

He will guide me.

When I stumble in weariness, He will lift me. He will shoulder the weight of my burdens (Isaiah 40:28-31).

Indeed, He will transform tasks into treasured time.

Thus, no matter what my days may hold… for this child, still moments with Abba are an absolute necessity.

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