"New Grip"

When is your love exhausted,

By what they did or said,

When do you say enough’s enough,

And say I’m done instead.

It isn’t always easy,

When you’ve done all that you can,

Gone so far, can’t go again,

Just need a brand new plan.

And God knows all our weakness,

How selfish we can be,

And how we can excuse ourselves,

So often blind, can’t see.

But He also knows our weakness,

Gives place to Spirit strong,

And if we rely upon Him,

We cannot go wrong.

First, He’ll bring us new strength,

So we don’t ever quit,

But also find some boundaries,

Know where they are, that’s it.

And if the grace is absent,

It may mean we move on,

Stop trying what is hopeless,

Or does not to us belong.

God will send another,

To be the one they need,

Someone else may harvest,

The planted, watered seed.

So if you’re drained and weary,

And have an empty cup,

Turn your heart to Jesus,

And look, not down, but up.

Let the Good Lord show you,

How strong through you He is,

And do not take a step beyond,

The Father and His biz.

“So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees…” (Heb. 12:12, NLT)

Sometimes we need to let go a minute so we can take a fresh grip. Sometimes we need to pause, so that we can renew our direction and determination. Everyone knows what it feels like to be over-extended and overwhelmed. Maybe it’s with a worthy endeavor that has simply reached its end. Maybe a boundary has been crossed with good intentions, but with negative effect. Sometimes we know where our responsibilities start but fail to see where they stop. Then, we keep on out of obligation and get burned out in the process. There is always grace to do what God has truly assigned. The Father’s business is empowered by the Holy Spirit. But doing more than we should is just as serious as not doing enough, or rebelling into selfish behavior. All of it grieves the Holy Spirit and deprives us of enjoying God’s highest and best for us. Take a new grip and see what happens.

Lord, renew us, in Jesus’ name.

Photography by Kirstie Lambert, used by permission. Thanks, Kirstie, and God bless you.