For One Who is Stretched Too Thin
Photo of a child’s hand reaching up to grab a the day 11 gift bag off an oversized Advent wall calendar, via Dari Ili on Unsplash
Take this moment, just this moment, for yourself.
This time of year, especially, it’s so easy to get wrapped up. You are tired. You are restless. There’s so much to do. There’s too much.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Meet God here. The One who is everywhere, always, is here with you now.
This season, we wait. And we don’t wait with nothing to do, but we prepare. Maybe you’re busy with plans and gift buying. Maybe you’re picking up extra holiday hours. Maybe you’re feeling like there’s not enough—not enough time, not enough money, not enough of you.
Stop, just for a moment, and see that it’s not really you who holds it all together. How does that feel?
When the pressure mounts and presses in on you, may you find refuge.
In all this frenetic busyness, how are you making room for joy?
Joy; the light that breaks through the darkness. It fills the cracks and the darkness cannot hide it. Take notice.
Here, here.
Here you are. In all the not enough, there is this moment. Breathe and know that you are held, you are loved by the Bringer of Joy, the Light of the World. Come to Him all who are weary and stretched too thin, bring Him all your not enough and find yourself full.
Having these questions in my head help me as I read the Scripture passages:
What sensations am I feeling in my body? Where am I feeling it?
What emotions are rising to the surface?
Do I know the context of this passage? What is it?
How is this relevant right now?
What does this show me about God?
The Promise of Old:
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—
2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.Isaiah 9:1-7 (NIV)
Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: “Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that’s the way you like to work.”
27 Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. “The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I’m not keeping it to myself; I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen.
28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:25-30 (MSG)
Find my Combative Praise playlist for free on Spotify by clicking the link below. I’ve compiled over 8 hours of music for tuning in to the presence of God. Bring your whole self, just as you are.
This post was originally written for the BStroBlog on Wordpress in 2021. It has been adapted for this site. The words and both websites are mine.
