Lingering

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
they walk and don’t lag behind. Isaiah 40:31 The Message

I love to read; I have bookshelves full of physical books and a kindle app full of e-books which I have devoured and digested. This last month I have been reading two books that I have genuinely enjoyed, Get Your Life Back and Resilient by John Eldredge. I recommend both books, especially if you are in a season where you could use encouragement and restoration for your weary soul.

One of the great benefits of reading these two books has been bumping into an app that John Eldredge has created and produced called the Pause App. I have been enjoying the morning and evening pause sessions; they are helpful for a soul like mine that needs to be refreshed. But one of the phrases Eldredge uses over and over within the meditations is, linger there. At first, I had trouble “lingering there,” but as I have practiced, it has become more natural, and I have enjoyed lingering.

Lingering is not a word we often use, maybe because it is a bit of a lost art. We are used to being on the run, doing and accomplishing the day’s demands. Going, going, going is our national motto. But our bodies and minds are not made to be constantly going; we were made for lingering a bit.

I have been in Isaiah this past month in my personal Bible study. So many truths to be found there, but one of the best-known verses is Isaiah 40:31, “They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength…”. This is a verse we go back to again and again for encouragement when our strength is waning. The word wait is an interesting one. Guess how it can be translated. Yup, waiting in Isaiah 40:31 can be translated in Hebrew as lingering. So, waiting on the Lord is hopeful-waiting or lingering. How wonderful is that? We are being asked not to wait on the Lord while pacing in circles, hoping frantically he will do something, but to linger or meditate on him, who he is. And when we do this, we are told he will change our strength for the better; we will be renewed.

So today, when life is busy, full of pressure, painful or hurried, take a minute and pause for a bit and “linger there” on the Lord.

Hey Friend- if you are looking for more devotional material, why not try out my 11-Day plan on the YOUVERSION app. You can find it at https://my.bible.com/reading-plans/20868-pack-your-baggage-honey