Isaiah 40:30-31

"Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:30-31 RSV).

Comment:

This is the writer known as Second Isaiah, writing at the time the Hebrews were allowed to leave Babylon and return to Jerusalem. The problem was, a lot of them really didn't want to go. They were comfortable in the Babylonian exile, settled, raising kids, living a life. Why should they risk it all to make a challenging, dangerous journey to some place most of them, born in Babylon, had never seen? This powerful passage is an assurance that the journey won't really be a problem if they keep their focus on the Lord. Those impetuous youths and young men who rush off, trusting to their own human strength to get them to Jerusalem, will indeed have a rough time of it. Those who "wait for the Lord," surrendering their own abilities to spiritual Truth, will find the journey easier than they can even imagine: their strength will not fail, they will walk and run without weariness, they will be carried over any rough spots as if they were carried on eagles' wings.

I think it's clearly a message we can profitably hear today, as well. We often see a goal or possibility in the distance and immediately rush off, certain we can achieve it with our human powers and human minds. We may get there, but it will be a needlessly tough slog. If instead we trust in the guidance of Spirit, we will find the road clear and easy, and our strength great.

Blessings!

Rev. Ed