Not in my own strength

by Mark Gierus

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‘Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.’ … Strengthened by that food, he travelled … until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God (1 Kings 19:7b,8b).

Read 1 Kings 19:4–8

Have you been on a holiday recently that you really needed because of work, life pressures and busyness? One where you were able to get right away from the daily routine and stresses and just be?

Perhaps you enjoyed a brilliant new book or finally caught up on the sleep you’d been promising yourself. You may have even given up technology or social media for a while or reconnected with a spouse, family member or friend.

How did you feel when you returned from holiday? Were you refreshed and ready to face life with joy? Or did you wonder whether you had the strength to return to what had caused you stress?

Many of us fall into the trap of working ourselves to burnout – not just physical burnout but spiritual burnout as well. We tell ourselves to keep pushing on, and then we’ll finally reward ourselves with a holiday. Yet sadly, we don’t always get the holiday. Some holidays are not so relaxing either because we are tired, run down and have forgotten the art of relaxing.

In our worries and stress, we find it easy to take a holiday from God but not from that which stresses us. We forget that God loves us and provides for our every need. He seems far away, and we grow weary in work and life.

Elijah had a heavy work schedule and was asked to do some challenging things. Today’s reading shows Elijah so burnt out that he would rather die. After rest, God provides a nourishing meal so he can get up and go again.

We all need a good holiday, but more importantly, we need God, day by day, who gives us strength to sustain us in all we do. Reconnect with God, spending time in his word, and he will renew your strength to face each day.

Loving God, you have called me to follow where you lead for your purpose. Help me always to trust in you, knowing that you strengthen me, not only with the things for my body, but with your precious word for my soul so that I may go where you lead me. Amen.

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