The thought captivated me.
“More than knowing Him, God wants me to need Him.”
I know Him. Do I need Him? Do I acknowledge that need?
On a regular basis I need direction, hope, courage, healing, truth, land love. We need all that and more, but there’s a need in our lives we often fail to identify. We are desperately needy. We are finite and prone to emptiness.
Our tanks run dry.
Our bodies fail.
Our souls wither.
We need to be filled, fueled, fortified. Our mountain trek is too hard, too daunting, too demanding. It requires more than we have. Running weak and empty is not a crime. Say that out loud. Running weak and empty is not a crime. In this truth there is no shame. Being empty is a daily, weekly reality. It’s a way of life and it’s a beautiful way of life. Why? Because it causes us to come empty handed to the One who is Infinite and Able. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says it best.
Starting next week, we’re relaunching a series of blog posts, which invite us to a life of rhythm and rest, where running hard is a joy and resting well is a commitment we are no longer willing to forfeit. These posts explore the practical “how to’s” of rest for the 21st century with 4 biblical rhythms: Sabbath, Sleep, Stillness (personal prayer) and Solitude (personal retreat).
2015 stands before us. Are you up for a challenge?
- Pray about it. It’s an invitation that will take you out of the desert into the Promised Land. It requires a leap of faith, however. It’s not for the faint of heart.
- Make it an expedition, not just a journey. Ask a friend, a coworker, your spouse, your small group to sign up for the blog and join you. Embracing the motto Run hard. Rest well. is a counter-cultural move. The buddy system creates an arena for dialogue, encouragement and accountability…key factors in turning our desire for change into a reality of transformation.
- Continue to pray. As rhythms of rest take hold of your life, you will become a natural model and mentor for others, an opportunity that is both a privilege and a responsibility. Learning how to rest well sets us up for a life of treasures instead of trinkets.
Now to Him who is able to to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us us… Ephesians 3:20
Amen!
First time here?
Welcome! We’re a group that gathers around the theme, “There has to be a better way.” We’re finding it in the 4-word mission statement, “Run hard. Rest well.”
- It’s a journey into the heart of God. It comes our way through an on-going exploration of four biblical rhythms that revive, replenish and restore: Sabbath Keeping, Sleep (and other simple stress-reducers), Stillness—personal retreat, and Solitude—personal retreat.
- It’s an expedition that challenges us at every turn. It convicts us in deep, tender places. It alters our priorities and plans. It’s not for the faint of heart.
- It’s adventure at its best – as we learn to run the race in a power not our own.
Powerful, Brenda. I praise God that you will relaunch this series. I’m seeing more and more that we push past our abilities, and responsibilities, and keep going, but we don’t imbibe on the Living Water that guides and directs us on the right path. We don’t seek the Father for our direction much less our energy and we die a little bit at a time. I pray God, that people will grasp hold of the understanding that we must grab hold of the altar of God and not let go until His hand is in ours. Then we will be filled with nutrition and not empty calories. And we will be satisfied.