My dad always dreamed of being an astronaut. Growing up we watched movies like The Right Stuff and Space Camp (ok…not educational at all, but a classic of the early 90’s). While space fascinates me as well, I enjoy experiencing it through pictures, planetarium, telescopes and documentaries while my feet are planted firmly on good old planet Earth. As a college student, I was captivated to hear Louie Giglio often talk about space in messages like Indescribable. Last year my girls and I studied Astronomy and I found the information awe-inspiring. And…don’t even get me started on how much I geeked-out over the solar eclipse. I cannot imagine how anyone can look at the planets, stars and galaxies and think that they were all orchestrated by chance.
Then this morning, after a 20 year journey, NASA crashed its spacecraft Cassini into Saturn. As I listened to the news story, my mind recalled a familiar verse:
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork.”
The images Cassini has sent back over the past 13 years are incredible. They are just a sliver of the beauty and majesty that God has created and put on display to show off His creativity and splendor.
We’ve had a long week here at the Monroe’s. Chad’s been in the field, which always increases the load on us at home, but it has just been a tough emotional week as well. Our Brigade lost a soldier in training this week. Hurts, heartaches, physical tiredness and emotional weariness have snaked their way through our days. I’ve laid my head on my pillow many nights and longed to be more patient and kind rather than short and demanding.
Then this morning, as I looked over the beautiful pictures of Saturn, I read these words in Isaiah 40:
“Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faith. Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Dear friend, the same God that spoke the rings of Saturn into existence, made you and knows your frame. He doesn’t grow weary. When we are at our worst and weakest, He is strong. When we don’t think we have the strength for another day or another trial, He gives us strength – His strength. He doesn’t get tired!! Oh what a relief to my soul that truth is. His power stretches beyond the infinite reaches of the universe and He offers it to you and to me – to give us wind beneath our tired wings.
Because it’s that exactly where we find His strength – in our darkest and most desperate moments. In the moment when we surrender our striving and trying only to fall into the net of His perfect strength. Paul said it best in II Corinthians 12:9:
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Are you weary? Take moment when the house is quiet and slip outside. Look up at the stars in imagine the Creator that knows them each by name. Billions and billions of stars and He knows everyone, and He knows you. He sees your struggle. He knows your heart. A simple, yet powerful truth that I pray will bring you encouragement today:
“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary?”
“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”
Have a great weekend! Come back Monday for Missionary Monday!