Refreshing Love

After a long and exhausting week, I am grateful for the way in which God's love refreshes our hearts, minds, and souls. Time and again in the bible, the Lord remembers those who are just plain worn-out: "I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint" (Jeremiah 31:25). One of my personal favorite scriptures (I know, it's like choosing a favorite star) is Isaiah 40:

The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

(Isaiah 40:28-31)

I clung to these promises for dear life in college, and continue to do so now as life "busy-ness" evolves in the "real-world." The image of the eagle seems especially profound to me. An eagle soars majestically, but works little to do so, harnessing the power of the wind currents to propel his flight. When we throw ourselves entirely on the mercy of the Lord, submitting our lives into his powerful hands to be used by Him, we are not only given flight, but we are able to soar!

God in His infinite love promises to refresh us, to satisfy us, to renew our strength. He longs to lift us up to soar by His power. God's love is so complete, so radical, so enduring, that when we truly experience this love, letting it saturate our lives, we cannot help but be refreshed. More than just offering us the refreshment of our physical bodies (which He often graciously provides as well), Yaweh invites us to experience the refreshment of our souls:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29)

My prayer for all who read is that we may continually rest in His perfect and sustaining love, allowing His grace to refresh our souls!