There are moments in our lives of transcendence
when we see ourselves
and the world clearly.
We are inspired,
floating above the trivia of life.
Perhaps we are in love for the first time,
or unexpectedly found it again.
Perhaps we have found our true vocation,
experienced the birth of a child,
or received recognition for a life’s work;
at times like these we are flying,
“we mount up with wings like eagles”.

There are also times in our lives
of great productivity.
We are in that special zone
where we have found our niche,
mastered the skills and knowledge required,
we are busy
we are working with a great team,
we are loved and valued.
We know what we are doing,
it’s meaningful and energises us;
“we run and do not grow weary”.

But there are also times
when we do it tough.
We experience great disappointment,
a serious accident,
prolonged illness,
relationships fail,
business collapses,
we work in a job
that does not feel meaningful
and we do not feel valued.
We lose a spouse; or a child.
Our world collapses.
Life is hard.
It’s at times like this that we can feel
that we are just going through the motions.
We hit rock bottom
but somehow are still standing.
and somehow we keep going,
“we walk and not faint”.

The prophet Isaiah wrote eloquently about how God empowers us in life:

29 He gives power to the faint,
and strengthens the powerless.
30 Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
31 but those who wait for the Lord
shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:29-31

As the gospel story moves towards its climax,
the story moves from the heady days
of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee.
From the days of “miracles and wonders”
to the grim realities of corrupt power,
betrayal and the hardest walk
carrying the cross to calvary.
It is the Christian conviction
that God’s greatest work and love for us
is shown in this most terrible occasion
as Jesus walks but does not faint
from the fate before him.

Whether you are flying,
running or
walking
God is with you.

This is the gospel
and it’s good news