EPISODE 84: BE RENEWED IN STRENGTH
A MESSAGE FROM MONICA:
So, this is my plant. It’s the one I talked about in the podcast — the one Greg gave me around 10 years ago, that has only bloomed three times in those 10 years. When he first gave it to me, it had one beautiful bloom. And then it died off, and remained a bloom-less plant for years.
A few years later, I had been praying for new life in our lives and anticipated it with every breath. Suddenly, out of seemingly nowhere, a new bud sprouted on it, and I saw it as a sign of new life, direct from God. And almost overnight, God brought new life to us in practically every sense of the word.
Then years went by and that plant didn’t bloom at all. Sometimes I’d forget to water it consistently, and the leaves would turn brown on the tips and it would droop like my hair in humidity. I’d give it a good watering, and overnight the plant would be revived and good as new. I consider it a true miracle that not only have I kept this thing alive all these years, but that it would be so close to death, and yet a good pruning and watering would almost instantly revive it.
It’s been an interesting year for me, full of interesting dreams and deaths of dreams, of changes and lack of changes. I’ve had things that I’m tired of dreaming about, yet cannot stop dreaming about — things I’m scared won’t happen, yet terrified they will. I’ve dreamt and prayed for new things, wild things, and cautious things and small things. And somewhere in the balance, I think maybe I’m daring to believe God is still in the business of new life. Maybe.
A few months ago, I was watering this plant of mine and pruning back some of the dead leaves when I saw it. A small, white bloom, hiding near the soil peeked from beneath the leaves. I think I gasped audibly, I can’t be sure, but I instantly took it as a sign that God had heard my prayers and was in the process of birthing something. Then, not long after, I noticed a second bloom hiding near the soil. This time I’m sure I gasped audibly — in 10 years this plant has never had two blooms. Surely, God is bringing new life! I began watering my soul and pruning back the dead places, willing revival in myself.
What fascinated me as I prepared for this episode, however, is that I realized I had been focusing on the wrong thing. I saw those blooms and immediately thought they represented new life, when the truth is, they represent renewed strength. As we discussed in the episode, the Hebrew word for “renew their strength” in our verse below means “to cause to revive or sprout forth (as a tree), to receive (new buds or leaves), gain new strength.” And suddenly, I can look at this plant and realize God may or may not answer my prayers and give birth to my dreams…and that’s okay. Because instead of focusing on the result (mounting on wings as eagles), He would prefer I focus on how He’s renewing my strength as I wait on Him.
I don’t know about you guys, but that is such a relief to me. The outcome isn’t nearly as important as the process — and once again, this is His entire point.
Those who wait on God will renew their strength. He wants to make us strong, friends. He wants to make us power lifters in the kingdom. And like Beth Moore says, that starts with waiting on Him, not the thing.
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BE IN THE WORD (this week’s verses):
But those who trust in the Eternal One will regain their strength. They will soar on wings as eagles. They will run—never winded, never weary. They will walk—never tired, never faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
BE EDUCATED (additional resources):
- How to Renew Your Strength by Kelly Balarie. This is the article Monica references in the episode.
- Renewing Strength by Charles Spurgeon. This is a transcribed sermon of his all about renewing your strength!
BE DOERS, NOT JUST HEARERS (practical application):
- Be Still. Before we can wait on the Lord for renewed strength, we have to stop and acknowledge that He is God.
- Stop Trusting in Everything Else. Stop waiting on what you think is going to make you walk and run without faint or weariness. It’s not going to come from a person, place or thing, it’s going to come from God alone.
- Set Your Heart on God Alone. Going back old school here – but go back to our podcast episode about loving God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. Love Him in the rhythms of grace…breathing Him in, breathing Him out.