Wendy Young, of Christian Aid Scotland, writes about the experience of feeling overwhelmed, particularly in the context of contemporary digital communication. On the one hand it keeps us more connected than ever but it also bombards us with emails, alerts, and notifications - it is easy to feel overwhelmed but there is comfort to be found in identifying with the gritty, flawed lives of Biblical characters and our creator God who wants to partner with us.
When opinions and expectations
press in on every side
when unrealistic demands of duty
deny fullness of life
when the to-do list is never-ending
and nothing ever satisfies
May your face shine upon us and
May we cling to your Word of life.
When advertising shouts at us
telling us what is lacking in our lives
when blatant lies and deceit
are now false truth and alternative facts
when instagram, facebook and twitter
show us what we are missing out on
When news alerts light up our phone
with updates of conflicts, terror and tragedy
May your face shine upon us and
May we cling to your Word of life.
When regret and unfulfilled dreams
dilute our contentment and joy
When friends and loved ones
have gone, leaving us all alone
When for whatever reason
our eyes shed streams of tears
May your face shine upon us and
May we cling to your Word of life.
Deep breath in, deep breath out…
Thank you, God,
for the strange comfort to be found
in knowing of the weakness and vulnerability
of the Old Testament prophets, priests and kings,
of their crises of confidence in themselves and
at times, even in you.
Thank you, God,
for the deep comfort to be found in your words
“Ask what I should give you”
And the hope that even though we may feel out of our depth
You do not call us to a task without also
resourcing us with what we need.
Thank you, God,
for the great comfort
that you know our potential
that you know us,
that we are fearfully and wonderfully made
Help us to believe as you do,
in the goodness of your creation
and so share your gifts as the world has need.
Amen.
Wendy Young
#disappointment #sorrow #exhaustion #frustration #reassurance #consoling
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