Reality check! We all know about weariness, especially in ministry. Weariness of this nature is not something that rest or sleep often alleviates. Weariness goes to the depth of our being a result of hours of striving for Jesus and ministering in His name only to witness little if any progress. How often we have extended the hand of perfect love only to have it nailed to a cross? Many have experienced the garden experience with Jesus, weary, sorrowful and troubled wanting to pray with Him, “Father can this cup pass from me.” (Matthew 26:37-39) We hear and attempt to heed the great promise; “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we shall reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9) But it doesn’t change the weariness. Upon hearing it we rise up and push through the weariness, still weary.
Ministry is draining. “Even the youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall.” (Isaiah 40:30) Our “anything you do for Jesus is fun and exciting” mentality doesn’t help much. Oh, there are times of exhilaration and mountain tops in ministry. We do enjoy these and desire more of them. But the reality of ministry is that it is draining and involves carrying burdens. It requires our entering into people’s troubled desperate lives, pouring out ourselves, laying down our lives, and giving of our resources. Ministry necessitates marching right up to the gates of hell to proclaim good news to the poor, freedom to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and release to the oppressed. (Luke 4:18) Yes, ministry is draining and we get weary.
Good news! Take heart! God “gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak… but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings as eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31). The strength and renewal sometimes replaces the weariness and at other times enables us to continue on through the weariness. Sometimes we soar, other times we run and still others we walk.
The order in this verse catches us by surprise. We would rather it be, walk, run and fly. The reverse is intriguing. Could it be that this order reflects our life cycle? The young have boundless energy and seem to soar. The mid-lifer’s run, keeping a breathtaking pace. Those older have slowed to a walk, steady, sure, and focused. Or could it be the order is more like cycle of all ministry. New vision sends us to the sky. As it all takes shape, we find we must now run keeping a solid handle on things. Soon the ministry requires steady surefooted walking. Possibly it is both. Regardless, the promise is true and we need to throw open our hearts and lives to receive the “strength and renewal” only God can provide. We need to be sure our hope is in Him and that we are “waiting” upon Him through prayer and service. Weariness does not deter those whose hope is in the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth who does not grow tried or weary. Our weariness, though it may cause us to stumble and fall, does not have to stop us for He who understands provides what we need to rise up and soar, run or walk; to do what needs to be done.
Beloved, weary one, let us together approach Him in who we have our hope and receive His strength and renewal today.
Keep Close to Jesus
Pastor Gerry