We miss our family when we can’t be near, we yearn our friends with distance between, we ponder duty as a toil today with pleasure its pay-off tomorrow. Yet, when we face obstacles or feel burdened, we cannot miss life in the cracks because we decide to step back when it takes determination to push through. The great challenge is facing our barriers when only a glimmer of hope shines beyond, taking off hinderances when the burdens drag you down, and throwing away the idea that anything less than persistence will allow us rest & peace in life. Jesus called us to a race, not a slumber. He called us to fruitful labor, not the work of vain pursuits. He called us to hill, but at the top was a cross which He carried – and He asked us to meet Him there as empty vessels, empty-handed.

Do you feel that your present life is empty, hollow, dry, burned-out, beat up, or buried under the weight of your own self? Remember, you are not six feet under, tossed aside, or forgotten if you’ve been raised by the life-giving, weight-bearing Jesus of Calvary. He saw the distance and effort it would take to meet you in the pits of life, the shallow pursuits of your soul, and the very chasm that laid between you and even shreds of joy. And, He came all the way here to bring you home, lift you up, and restore your heart with overflowing joy. He called us to rest by working his fields yielding grace upon grace, being planted by living streams that give life to our souls in a desert, and calling us through nothing less than His perfected, resurrected self. Be determined that no matter what road you lie on in surrender, sit on in frustration, or walk on in faith – the Lord your God is with you there – and, He’s ready to lead you back or call you deeper to Himself. Press on toward your calling in Christ, for the glory of God, and let your life gently fall down like ashes from the flame into His hands – there, to be picked up and shaped by His grace and power alone into a magnificent beauty. You are called to be restored.

Ephesians 3:20, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”