Nuggets of truth sometimes show up in unexpected places.
Back in the 80’s, the music group Chicago had a big hit with the song “Hard To Say I’m Sorry“. The song begins with the line…
Everybody needs a little time away…
No matter who you are, or how strong or resilient you think you are, everyone needs time to recover, recoup, and regroup. Oftentimes, we don’t realize how much we are in need of a break, until we make the decision, or are forced into taking one.
Thousands of years before Chicago ever recorded their first album, King Solomon penned these words…
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)
A time to heal… a time to laugh… a time to dance… a time to mend… a time for peace. If Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, knew the value of these things, would we not be wise in following his lead?
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul understood the importance of running the race of faith with endurance…
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)
As anyone knows who has ever run a race, three important parts of preparing to run are training, diet, and…
Rest.
Maybe today you are feeling the weight of the world bearing down on you like a barbell with a thousand pounds on it. Maybe you are feeling drained, and the abundant life you should be experiencing more closely resembles a life at the end of a rope you are barely hanging on to. Like a runner who has not adequately prepared, maybe you are feeling the pressure of performing at a level you are not ready for. Jesus encourages you today…
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” ~ Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
So, weary traveller, take some time today— take a nap, read a good book, find a quiet place to get alone with Him, and leave your tired burdens there. By doing so, you might find it not quite so hard to say “I’m sorry”.
Better yet… by having a fresh perspective and positive outlook, you might find eliminate some of the reasons for saying “I’m sorry” in the first place.
The Heart of Abba - Ron Phillips 