First workout session done. I was feeling down throughout the 30 minutes of stepping… There’s probably some endorphins here but I’m not feeling ’em in my bloodstream.
There’s that negative feeling that usually came over me when I was a kid, during the day after Christmas… I’m feeling something like that right now, and I’m a grown man, and it’s not the days after Christmas, but the days after Resurrection/Easter Sunday… When I assume we’re supposed to be all hyped up.
‘Don’t live like every day is the last day of your life, live like every day is the first day of your life‘.
also, ‘What would you do differently today if Christ rose from the dead yesterday?‘ – I used to share these lines a lot, with the expectation that whoever hears (me included) would think a little better of the day and the days to come.
Today is different for some reason. I can probably psych myself out, but I picture it’s pretty tough for me to punch through the yearnings that suddenly came back even if I was well on my way, moving on from the rejection, the blocking, and the condemnation.
I’m thinking it’s pretty tough for me to feel better considering the pending status of my Mom’s issue, and the ongoing legal battles we’re facing in our family.
It’s pretty tough for me to smile right now, considering we just increased our fuel prices AGAIN as of earlier midnight, and while I’m still in a pretty comfortable spot, I can’t imagine it’s the same for those of us who drive for a living, and for those who need to commute to and from work.
My soul is downcast. David’s soul used to be downcast… I could imagine he’s had his own troubles back in his time, and though he didn’t have Evernote, he had the opportunity to take time and compose something simple… something that applies throughout centuries and generations:
‘Why so downcast, o my soul?
Put your hope in God.‘
Does that automatically change my mood? Not at all, but it at least gives me something to focus on… something to keep my mind on when even working out wouldn’t cut it.
Our hope is in the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. Our help comes from the Lord.
Our trust is in the Lord, and we shall not be put to shame.
Yeah, that’s making me feel better. Eyes away from the wind and the waves. Eyes upon Jesus, who called us out of the boat. Eyes upon the One who walks on the water, even when we begin to sink.
Cast out the doubt. Eyes on the Author and Finisher of our Faith. Ears on the Word and on the Spirit; Yes, the Spirit who even now reminds me that this world is as it has always been – torn apart by sin. Ears on the One who assures me that the enemy of our souls will eventually meet his ultimate end, his complete destruction; Ears on the One who encourages me – that through all of this, I am with the Lord, and the Lord is with me.
Put your hope in God.
Abide in Him. Meditate on His Word. Dwell with His Spirit. Breathe in Life and take in Light, revel in His everlasting Love.
Put your hope in God.
Rejoice, even now, especially now. Give thanks to the Lord – there are many more reasons to give thanks than there are to lose heart. Pray. Communicate. Speak and listen in the Spirit. Shelve all that is evil, and cling to all this is good… and all that is good comes from God alone.
Put your hope in God.
Flow in the Spirit. Keep giving thanks to the Father, and stay grounded in the Truth which remains when the facts fall.
Thank You, Father, for this time. Thank You for Your faithfulness and Your Truth; Your faithful Truth and Your true faithfulness to each and every one of us, even when we have all the reasons to give up.
Thank You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; Thank You, God, because You cause all things to work for the good of those who love You and are called according to Your purpose.
Thank You, God – even right now I am deep in Your presence, just as You are with me, down to the core. Nothing can ever separate us; And, even now, I am brought to remembering Your goodness; Yes, Your goodness that allows me to be transformed by the renewing of my mind.
I shall put my hope in God.
I will be still, and know that God is who He says He is.
I put my hope in the Lord, I am still; I shall not be troubled, because my God is our Way Maker, our Miracle Worker, our Promise Keeper, and our Light in the Darkness.
All glory and honor to His name, now and forever. Oh, praise Him.
It’s almost 10pm on the same day, and in spite of a meaningful conversation and a quick walk around, I’m not necessarily feeling a whole lot better.
In Star Wars lore, Darth Sidius / Emperor Palpatine approved the hunting, apprehension and neutralization of all Jedi. This act was known as Order 66.
Here’s hoping Psalm 66 makes for a happier ending… and, well, it’s looking like it as I paste and process it for this post.
Psalm 66
Praise to God for His Awesome Works
To the Chief Musician. A Song. A Psalm.
1 Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!
2 Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious.
3 Say to God, “How awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You.
4 All the earth shall worship You And sing praises to You; They shall sing praises to Your name.”
Selah
I know what I should be doing. I have a list of stuff to do in the workshop, and also stuff to do for church, for the house, and for our businesses… But even with all of this in mind, I feel exhausted for some reason. I’m feeling down, like it’s all not worth living through.
Yet, here I’m reminded that there’s STILL reason to keep on going – that even with nothing left, there’s still cause to keep going – if only to join all creation in praising God, and honoring His name.
Even in defeat, and/or emptiness, or in this downtime, indeed, I shall follow the prompt of the Psalmist, and take time to recognize the awesome works of the Lord, and cling on to the greatness of His power.
Through all I have in mind, and in all the complications to be had, in spite of the blessings we don’t have… the next best thing to do is to just partner with the earth and all that’s in it, in praising our great and awesome God. He is truly good, gracious, and glorious.
5 Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.
6 He turned the sea into dry land; They went through the river on foot. There we will rejoice in Him.
7 He rules by His power forever; His eyes observe the nations; Do not let the rebellious exalt themselves.
Selah
We see His glory and His grace in all of creation. We behold His goodness and His greatness in all He does for us. He demonstrates His infinite power, and displays His eternal wisdom.
We have even more cause to praise Him – He has done great things, and He will do great things. All things that are good for us come from Him, and He adds no sorrow to it.
8 Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard,
9 Who keeps our soul among the living, And does not allow our feet to be moved.
10 For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined.
11 You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs.
12 You have caused men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.
13 I will go into Your house with burnt offerings; I will pay You my vows,
14 Which my lips have uttered And my mouth has spoken when I was in trouble.
15 I will offer You burnt sacrifices of fat animals, With the sweet aroma of rams; I will offer bulls with goats.
Selah
We give praise to the Lord Most High, for all He has seen us through. Indeed, as He has seen me through much trial and tribulation in my decades of existing here in this wretched planet, so I know He shall continue to see me through all that’s going on now, and all that’s to come.
In fact, we don’t need to wait for a breakthrough, or a resolution – let’s believe in our hearts, and speak forth with our mouths: We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.
And for this we reprise our roles as living sacrifices, gushing forth with sacrifices of praise to the only One who is worthy of it all. We give thanks and praise to our God, even if we don’t see anything for us in the days to come… We delight in Him here and now. We revel in His presence, drawing hope from nothing else but Him.
16 Come and hear, all you who fear God, And I will declare what He has done for my soul.
17 I cried to Him with my mouth, And He was extolled with my tongue.
18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.
19 But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His mercy from me!
Thank You, Father, for the reading of Your Word.
Our trust continues to be upon You, and we continue to cry out to You, knowing that You not only hear us, but You listen to us. Blessed be Your Name, for You are our Father who is always thinking of us.
I shall continue to put my hope in You.
I shall continue to trust You, and I know I shall not be put to shame.
I continue to be still, and know that You are my God.
You are our Way Maker, our Miracle Worker, our Promise Keeper, our Light in the darkness.
Even when I don’t see it or feel it, You’re working, and You never stop working.
Amen. Amen.
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