Strength

Strength. This is what I've been praying for. After being sick this weekend, working on-call on Monday night until 11pm, and then another 10 hour day today in the OR. I need strength to carry on physically. Even to climb the ladder to the top of my bunk bed. I also, need strength in all areas of my life. I have a lot going on in my head and in my heart. Strength to see poverty on the streets, suffering and even death in the people I care for, and strength to carry on here on the mission field.

Tonight, I shoveled some salad and plantains in my mouth for a quick dinner before youth. I prayed for God to show the junior-highers something new, but also for me and my friend, Jane, the other youth leader. We've been studying faith in Hebrews 11 and took a break to watch "How Great is our God". Speaker Louie Giglio talked about the universe as well as the human body. He shared this passage and this is what I needed to hear tonight. I sat there in tears with the youth (also sharing their "wows" out loud) in amazement that the Creator of the Universe knows the stars by name, but also knows that I need strength to carry on.

Isaiah 40:26-31

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:

Who created all these?

He who brings out the starry host one by one,

and calls them each by name.

Because of his great power and mighty strength,

not one of them is missing.

Why do you say, O Jacob,

and complain, O Israel,

"My way is hidden from the LORD;

my cause is disregarded by my God"?

Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in 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.