Restoration for the Weary

Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lordwill find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28–31 NLT)

Though it’s April when you’re reading this, and hopefully turning to spring where you are, I’m writing during the last days of winter. This morning, I got stuck in my driveway three times trying to get my daughter to her train. We have two feet of snow out there (more or less), and I’m longing for the beach I sat on last week in Puerto Rico, doing nothing but listening to the waves and wading out in them to snorkel for yellow-striped fish and elusive sea turtles.

I unashamedly admit I need that kind of restoration in the middle of winter. Winter in Chicago is not for the weak.

Lately, I’ve been seeking restoration more often.

The past year has been hard. Exhausting. It was also valuable and beautiful, but these things often commingle, don’t they? Significant physical pain and limitations left me discouraged at my own helplessness. An over-extended schedule produced the expected fruit—stress and frustration. National reports daily elicited cries from my soul for justice and shalom. Finally, devastating news about family loss has made me ready for restoration that lasts longer than a week in the sun.

Isn’t it beautiful that God put Easter and spring together? Wasn’t it just like him to mix two such marvelous things and allow us to celebrate them simultaneously?

While we anticipate the restoration of living things outside our windows, we revel in the reality that Jesus restored all things that were broken, winter-bound, and frozen in the icy grip of sin and separation. His resurrection accomplished in one breathtaking stroke a restoration of all that God originally called good. The relationships he created and we broke now can be released into new spring life—our relationship with God, our relationships with others, and our relationship with the very creation in which we enjoy those spring flowers.

While we feel dragged back into winter by the news we read and the hardhearted, hardheaded arguments we see going on around us, we know the truth about restoration. It’s been done. The world’s winter is over.

Hear those words in Isaiah 40:28–31. God talks about the days when we will grow tired. He doesn’t say we might grow tired or that we’ll grow tired only if we don’t take care of ourselves. He insists that we will grow tired. He knows this. He knows that the world and its winter can exhaust us. He knows personal pain and global injustice will bring us to our knees in weakness, and he knows that’s where we need to be.

There’s no shame in weariness. It happens to those who go out, day after day, and fight the good fight. The world isn’t geared toward restoration—it tilts toward entropy and chaos. Only the kingdom offers us the rest we need when we “fall in exhaustion.” Only God’s spring resurrection supplies the eagles’ wings we need to feel holding us up when we trip and fall.

Is it a surprise that the words rest and restoration start the same? They both mean refreshing, an offering of newness and a relief from weariness. Resting in him brings restoration—no other equation works.

Scripture for Reflection

When the poor and needy search for water and there is none,
and their tongues are parched from thirst,
then I, the Lord, will answer them.
I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them.
I will open up rivers for them on the high plateaus.
I will give them fountains of water in the valleys.
I will fill the desert with pools of water.
Rivers fed by springs will flow across the parched ground.
I will plant trees in the barren desert—
cedar, acacia, myrtle, olive, cypress, fir, and pine.
I am doing this so all who see this miracle
will understand what it means—
that it is the Lord who has done this,
the Holy One of Israel who created it. (Isaiah 41:17–20 NLT)

Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads.And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:1–5, NLT)

Reach for More

Are you tired? From what? What are some steps you can take today to find rest and restoration in your life physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually?

What has fallen away in your life lately that needs restoration?

Can you think of a thing or activity that once brought you wonder? How can you restore it to your daily life?

Jill Richardson is a writer, speaker, pastor, mom of three, and author of five books. She likes to travel, grow flowers, read Tolkien, and research her next project. She believes in Jesus, grace, restoration, kindness, justice, and dark chocolate. Her passion is partnering with the next generation of faith. Jill blogs at jillmrichardson.com.

Photograph © Erik Andres Reynoso, used with permission