For everyone who has ever felt drained and empty, Christ offers an alternative. There is the promise of rest for our souls, often times despite the tumultuous situations we find ourselves in. Sure, we will all endure times of feeling drained and our energy lacking, but Jesus seeks to restore our soul eternally. There is rear. There is peace. And there is the easy burden that Christ gives to us.
While there is debate as to what the thorn in Paul’s flesh was referring to, it is undeniable that he indeed had a pronounced weakness. Paul is not alone in this either. Every person has their limits as to how far they are able to achieve. Our muscles get fatigued, our emotions run dry, and our spirit grows weak from time to time. We all have times where we feel empty. Yet, even beyond that, we all endure times when we feel weak and unable to accomplish the task ahead of us. These weaknesses are reminders that we should, first and foremost, run to God.
Imagine for a moment, you are the men who lowered their friend through the roof or that you are the man himself. The stories have circulated regarding this man who had healed people in each town he went. As he sees the faith of the men, he looks at the paralytic and says, “You’re sins are forgiven.” The expectations were probably different, but Jesus understood the greater needs of the people. We all, are at the point of the paralytic where we are unable to move on our own, spiritually speaking. Yet, Jesus, our Great Physician, welcomed us to come closer in our sickness and receive healing, the true healing that restores our soul.
In some ways, being physically alone is easier. It feels almost like a retreat. There are extended times of being by yourself and refreshing times of figuring some things out. This is not the draining I am referring to. The draining comes when you interact with the world around you and still feel alone. For the Christian, follow Christ can feel lonely. With the struggle to remain in purity and follow Christ wherever he leads, often times there will be parts it will feel you are alone.
