Gayla Parker
By Gayla Parker, BCMD WMU Executive Director, Missionary for Missions Education/Customization and Missions Innovator Specialist (SBC, WMU)
For several years now a battery manufacturer has used a bunny to symbolize that the battery goes and goes and goes. It is indeed a good battery; however, with enough use it does eventually run out of energy.
On certain days in my life, I wish I could go on and on like that bunny. During August I even tried it, but found that I do indeed get tired. For the first time in my life, there were even a few days that I wondered if I would get through the day. Endless energy like that of the bunny would have been welcomed.
At the end of a busy day of teaching in Des Moines, Iowa, I found myself delayed at the Chicago airport unable to get home until well after mid-night only to face a morning flight to Alabama the next day. As tired as I was, there were people with me at the airport who needed to hear about Jesus. It was through those conversations that I began feeling once again energized. I knew the energy was not coming from me. The day was getting close to 24 hours without stopping and it had been awhile since I had eaten real food. God had become my energizer. In my tiredness, He became strong.
While we all have days that we completely run out of energy and cannot do another thing, the God we serve is everlasting energy. He is El Olam, “the everlasting God.” In Psalm: 1-2 we read, “Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
Unlike us, God does not run out of energy. He does not need sleep. He does not need a break. He does not get hungry. He is available 24/7, 365 days a year, year after year after year.
What does that mean for us? It means we can call on Him at any time. So, pastor, fellow servant, fellow believer, when you are tired and weary, remember this; God has energy and power that never ends. He will give you strength when yours is gone. And then you can say with Paul, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13)
(Adapted from Connections: A Daily Prayer Journal written by Gayla Parker published by WMU.)