I’m Tore Down (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djRAF_ph3TQ)
in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses 2 Corinthians 6:4
Endurance – Frankly, I’m tore down. I can’t remember when I have been so tired. Every part of my body aches. I have a hard time thinking. I just want to go to sleep.
Does that sound like you? It wouldn’t surprise me. We live in an age of accelerated depletion. I am quite sure that one of the major forces of the enemy is to just keep turning up the volume. We are a long way from watermelon Sunday picnics and wading in the backyard stream. The whole world is in fast forward and the impact on spirituality is noticeable. If you feel like I do, then you know you’re close to exhaustion.
Paul knew these symptoms centuries ago. Even as a Sabbath-observant follower, he still almost ran dry. Just read the whole list of conditions from this passage. What is Paul’s solution? It is the only one that works – and it’s not a vacation to Las Vegas.
“Commending ourselves as servants of God” is Paul’s antidote to exhaustion. Just what does that mean? The Greek is sunistemi. It’s a combination of “together with” and “to set in place, to stand.” The root histemi has powerful theological implications such as God establishing His Word, presenting us blameless, appointing the day of judgment and validating the church. In combination with sun, this word demonstrates the power of being able to stand recommended and accepted. How is that possible in the face of so many exhausting situations? It is possible only because we are servants of God. What does that mean? As servants (diakonia), we exist to do His bidding, waiting on His command, responsive to His Word. The secret is knowing what God asks of us. He enables and equips for His purposes. When we do whatever comes next, we are sure to reach exhaustion. God does not equip simply because we decide. A servant takes his cues from the Master, not from the circumstances.
Maybe that’s the real reason why I feel so tired. Maybe the true meaning of endurance has escaped me. In English, “endurance” translates hupomone (patience). What it implies is a hope that does not give up. This is not the word used for endurance toward people. This is about the engineered life; a hope that rests confidently in the character of God and His control. This is waiting on God to prepare the table in the valley of the shadow.
When we allow the fast forward world to dictate our spiritual flow, we will end up addicted to the crushing rush. We will run out of gas because we have been traveling roads that God did not put on our maps. Think of the much bigger picture. Does all the expended energy necessary to just keep up really matter? Are you and I servants who are running from place to place and from task to task simply because we wear the uniform? Or are we so attuned to the Master’s voice that we are able to wait and rest until we hear Him call? I know how easily I add tasks to my working agendas. I also know how tired I am of trying to do them all. Maybe I need to just wait on God’s table and stop trying to run the restaurant.
Topical Index: Hope
