Refresh Our Soul

 

As I walked one of the lovely blocks in my neighborhood, I found this trimmer lying perfectly parallel to the sidewalk. It is all clean and intact, no missing parts. This tool has obviously been well cared for by the owner.

The lawn of the home is well ahead of most of their neighbors. It is already thick and green. The grass had been freshly mowed and perfectly edged. I could not help but think that the trimmer was just taking a break in the shade after a job well done. Like a character in the animated version of “Beauty and the Beast”, I imagined that at any moment it would spring to life and dance away.

Sometimes people can be a bit like this trimmer. They look perfectly fine to all who pass by. They do not look broken or worn out or used up, but they are, or they feel that they are. Though their lawns are green and their edges trimmed, they are tired and exhausted.

The prophet Jeremiah writes, “For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” Isn’t that good news? If you are tired, hear the good news. If you feel broken or worn out, hear the good news. If you feel that your weariness is wrong or something to be ashamed of, hear the good news. God knows that we are tired, and what it is that makes us tired. And God is already at work replenishing our souls. It would do us all well to breathe deeply of the Spirit that refreshes our soul.

Peace.