Renew.

Been hung up on the word, "Renew" lately.

On a daily basis, I am surrounded by electronics that are ALWAYS in need of recharging. Last night, as I went to plug my phone in, my charger was on the counter as my kids had claimed BOTH wall plug ins for their own electronic devices. Earlier this morning I found a spot at an overcrowded coffee shop and opened up the lap top to see I had 12 minutes left on my computer battery and, of course, no wall charger near me to plug into. Earlier this week, my Kindle was dead, thus leaving me to have to MANUALLY pick up a book and actually have to lift my arms to flip pages (the horror of it all).

Oh, the inconveniences of living in a technological age.

But as I was spending time in the Word, I ran across a verse that I had read hundreds of times but it hit me in a new way. So, I pass along to you praying that you might be in the same place as I.

We are a busy culture. It is not uncommon to sit at an intersection and look at the cars surrounding you seeing people on their blackberries, I-phones, rotary phones (ok, maybe not those) texting, talking, going, doing. I am in the ministry and I am, all too often, running all over town; meeting, greeting, investing in lives.

Busy is not a bad thing. But here's where I am this week:
Busyness WITHOUT renewal = Emptyness.

Look throughout the gospels. Over and over Jesus is on the move. He is meeting, greeting, loving. But then this crazy thing would happen. He would stop. He would go to a quiet place and be... renewed (Mark 1:35)

So here's the thing. If Jesus, being God in flesh, saw it necessary to spend time with His Father, over and over again in the gospels, can we really live our lives thinking an occasional Sunday morning check in at worship is enough?

I needed this message this week. I have been running on empty. But time spent in the Word has led to a refilling and a renewing of my soul and God has found me in the midst of my emptiness and renewing me daily.

So the good news for each of you, today? He can do the same to you.

Isaiah 40:31
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.

Be filled and know that you are loved, my friends.