Running On The Ragged Edge

Life has a way of draining our strength and wearing us out.
 
I once heard someone say “I am too pooped to pot!”
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Sound familiar?

​Our run, gun, gotta-get- it- done culture contributes to running on the ragged edge of life. That ragged edge can be a frustrating and dangerous place. You and I are not at our best when running on the ragged edge.
 
The ragged edge looks something like this. Life is running ahead of your energy level. You are huffing and puffing just to keep up. You feel physically pooped out and emotionally strung out. Burning the candle at both ends leaves you burned out. Relationships are stressful. You feel spiritually dry and empty. And you wish someone would stop the carousel for a moment so you can get off!
 
The prophet Isaiah, who wrote 2,800 years ago, understood that you and I need renewal.
 
“Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:30-31
 

• God’s solution to the problem of ragged edge living is RENEWAL.

 
Study Isaiah 40: 25-31 in its entirety to grasp what God is saying about renewing our strength. Please note that Isaiah said young people, vigorous young men grow weary, tired, and stumble badly. Not being as young as I once was, and tiring more than I used to, this encourages me to know that even the young whippersnappers still get tired, fall from time to time, and need renewed.
           
Running on the ragged edge is not God’s best for His children. Running our faith race renewed and refreshed in the Lord is His will for us.
 
The key to renewal from the ragged edge is waiting on the Lord.
 
Those who choose to wait on the Lord for strength will receive it. We erroneously think that renewal comes from doing more on our part. The Word says waiting is the gateway to spiritual renewal. Waiting, not wishing, working or worrying brings renewal.
 
The promise to those who wait is “will gain new strength.” When you and I are weary from running on the ragged edge, new strength and power is what we need…. strength that is fresh from the Lord who never gets tired or weary. God is never weak or lacking in strength and power. New strength is what you and I gain when we wait on the Lord.
 
Running On The Ragged Edge
 

• The ragged edge is a place of weariness and weakness.
• The ragged edge produces a negative attitude and pessimistic outlook.
• The ragged edge stifles ideas and quenches creativity.
• The ragged edge makes possibilities look impossible.
• The ragged edge discourages us from taking steps of faith.

 
Running Renewed In The Lord
 

• Renewal in the Lord is a place of strength and refreshing.
• Renewal in the Lord produces a positive attitude and outlook.
• Renewal in the Lord inspires ideas and stimulates creativity.
• Renewal in the Lord makes the impossible look possible.
• Renewal in the Lord motivates us to move forward in faith.

 
When we wait on the Lord, gaining new strength, three things happen. First, we mount up and soar like eagles. Second, we run and do not tire. Third, we walk and do not become weary (faint is the word in the King James Version.).
 
I have been a Christian for fifty-two years. One of my favorite things is to get away to be alone with the Lord in nature where people cannot find me. I love to wait on Him. Isaiah 40:31 is my life verse. Lo and behold, without failure, God sends eagles, most often hawks, to soar over me when I am praying. Soaring. Gliding effortlessly on the wind. No wings flapping like ducks, geese and other birds.
 

• My spirit soars and I am renewed when I watch the hawks soar overhead!

 
I don’t about you, but I like that soar like an eagle deal. And you can sign me up for running without getting tired and walking without weariness or fainting. That’s the way I want to live my life in Christ.
 
My friend, please listen to me. Why be worn out when you can be renewed daily with God’s strength and power?
 
If you are running on the ragged edge right now, make a quality decision for yourself. Get off the fast track. Slow down. Catch your spiritual breath.
 
Wait on the Lord. Get alone with Him. Draw from His power. Mount up with God’s strength. Rise up above the ragged edge of weariness. Live each day renewed in the Lord.
 
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.”                                      I Corinthians 9:24
 
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have finished the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”                                                                              II Timothy 4:7-8                                        
A Word For Your Week: Run your race renewed in Christ.