Since my accident several years ago in which I injured my knee, I've had to give up running. But I have recently taken up walking just to keep off the abundance of extra weight that seems to be collecting around my waist and elsewhere. I walk for about thirty minutes each day at a fairly rapid pace to get my heart rate up a bit. Being the competitive type that I am, I have a tendency when I walk to try to beat yesterday's distance. I attempt to get just a little bit farther than the day before.
As I'm pushing myself to get that extra distance I've noticed that I have a tendency to strain and tighten up just a bit, especially down the home stretch, the last five minutes or so. Instead of staying relaxed, I find myself tensing muscles. Every runner knows that it is important to stay relaxed when you run for maximum effect. Tightening up can shorten your stride and puts you at risk for pulling or injuring something.
Throughout my life I've found that instead of staying relaxed when the pressure is on to accomplish something, I bear down. I've apologized to my staff in advance every Easter for my tenseness and intenseness. It's just like my walking, I tighten up down the stretch. I put a lot of pressure on myself. I push myself. Not only am I shortening my spiritual stride, I put myself at risk of injuring myself and more importantly the relationships around me.
In today's passage God gives some clear instruction. He says in repentance and rest is our salvation, that in quietness and trust is our strength. Yet He also notes that His people have a tendency to have none of that. Rather they rely on their own strength, resources, ingenuity, etc. to deal with life's biggest challenges or even daily issues.
So God leaves us to our own devices. Therefore the problem only gets bigger and the challenge more intense and the frustration only more aggrivating. Yet, God longs to be gracious to us. Waiting on Him brings a blessing to us. As long as I insist on striving myself, I can expect a tense life.
God, I'm really tired of striving on my own. I want to change my thinking daily to your way of thinking. I want to rest from my incompetence and trust in your power and ability. I don't want a life of constant turmoil. I could use the stillness you provide, the strength you provide. Waiting on you Lord is really tough. I still find myself wanting to push forward on my own. Help me to readjust my focus onto you, your will, your plan, your strength.
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