Here's what we're wondering about:
Isaiah 40:28-31
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
Listen! Here are important words about God, who is everlasting - beyond time: from before the beginning, and beyond forever - and who created everything there is, from top to bottom, one end to another, inside and out, and past our understanding.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
Always strong, always alert, always present: that is God. And God's way of knowing - knowing all - is more than we can ever know. How does that feel to you?
He gives power to the faint,
and strengthens the powerless.
What is power? What is it like to not have power? What can you do, when you do have power? What is strength? Is there more than one type? How have you used your strength? Have you wished that you had more strength? God gives power!
Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
Everybody gets tired, even the strongest people. How does it feel to be exhausted? What are some good things to do when you are tired? What are some bad choices? Why?
but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
"Wait for the Lord" - what does that mean to you? How will it feel to be strong after weakness? Compare that feeling to the flight of birds, powerful ones like eagles.
Have you seen an eagle, in real life? More and more of these mighty birds are in our own backyard, as Bald Eagles repopulate along the Merrimack River. With a wingspan of up to 8 feet (!) and the ability to fly up to 99mph (wow!!), what a powerful image this is, for us.
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.
That sounds wonderful, to start strong, be strong, and stay strong. St Paul wrote: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)
I wonder, what will you do with your strength & power, gifts from God - to love God - and to love your neighbor as yourself? What are some ways to do that? How can your friends at St James help you do those things? Let me know what you need!
