ONE GREAT HOPE: Julie

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.

Isaiah 40:28-31, New International Version

I hate to run. I hate to feel that heart pounding breathlessness. Nonetheless, that full body weight of weariness pretty much sums up my life these past few years.  

During this time, the isolation of the pandemic, together with the death of my husband, created a perfect storm of weariness. I am weary of the separation from friends and family. I am weary of political rants and discussion flooding the media. I am weary of consuming grief. I can feel the weariness in my bones, weighting me down in both body and spirit.  

I am weary of being weary.

In this message of hope, Isaiah speaks to this bone-deep weariness, and reminds me that no matter the source of the weariness, God promises strength to face all the life challenges that make us weary. I am not a runner, but the very concept of being able to run and not grow weary is exhilarating, and gives me hope.

I long to run free of weariness into the rest of my days, and this is what we are promised in this passage. The prophet reminds us all “the Lord is the everlasting God,” and that through hope, our strength is renewed and we too can “soar like eagles” into an unknown future.

Good and gracious God, Creator of all, meet me in my weariness today. Lend me your strength, increase your power within me, that I might run the race set before me—whatever that might be. I can’t see what’s around the bend from here, but I hope in you—and when I do, I gain your perspective. I’m taking you at your Word today, Lord. Amen.

Julie Pavri lives in the Williamson Valley area outside of Prescott, AZ

I am currently retired and spend my time with my two daughters’ families and in music, worship and Council activities at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Prescott Valley.