Tired. Run down. Beat. Weary. Weak. Exhausted. These are some words that have become common descriptors in our personal vocabulary. There are some people with seemingly inexhaustible energy— toddlers, teenagers especially (after they get out of bed at 11:00 a.m.), twentysomethings, and Type-A’s. I’m not one of them; are you? There appears to be a collective malady that most of us sleep too little, eat too much, and work too hard (doing the wrong stuff). Something must change!
There is some poetry in the Judeo/Christian scriptures that offers us some good advice.
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
-Psalm 1
This first poem (originally expressed in song) compares those who delight in God, Blessed is the man, and those who do not, Not so the wicked. The first does not walk, stand, or sit under the counsel of the wicked, sinners, or mockers. Of course, we dwell in the midst of such people every day of our lives; but the decision to heed their “insights” is ours. The poet directs us to delight in the law of God. Though to postmodern ears this smacks of conservative boredom, its consequences are timeless— He is like a tree planted by streams of water. Image it, lie back in the grass under the tree and let the rushing water cool your weary soul and body.
The second type, the wicked, are merely picked up by the wind and blown away. A lot like I feel when I lose my focus and faith—blowin’ in the wind (Peter, Paul & Mary), but without any answers.
Blend the ideas of the above song with the final lines of another—
Those who wait on 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.
-Psalm 40:31
Waiting on the Lord is not meditating on emptiness; nor is it simply stillness. Rather, it is the concentration of our emotions, minds, and busyness on the One who can replenish our strength so we can soar on wings like eagles. You get the picture. Take in the view. Don’t let this ancient counsel fall on deaf ears.
Have a nice week,
Gary
Clueless Christianity 