“Jesus urges us toward endurance, resilience. It’s available in him, but it won’t just happen. We must take hold of the strength that prevails. So — what’s your plan to make it through? You need a plan. . . . Resilience and victory aren’t going to come with a swipe on your home screen.”- John Eldredge
“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.”- Matthew 25:7-8 (NIV)
In Chapter 9 (“Your Prescription”) of Resilient, John Eldredge exhorts us to make sure we’re filled with God. Above all, our resolve requires intention. Because we need to renew our love, devotion, and deep union with Jesus. Furthermore, in Mere Christianity C. S. Lewis pointed out that God = the fuel the human soul runs on:
“God made us; invented us as a man invents an engine. . . . Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on.”
Therefore, John suggests that we adjust our lives to (a) provide recovery from the past and (b) build resilience for the days ahead. Most significantly, the author recommends two things:
1. Renew your love and devotion to Jesus. Schedule time each day to loving Him. Certainly, this is so simple. Yet, John believes, most people spend less than five minutes a day loving Jesus. As a result, they fail to notice what they’re missing.
2. Create a little margin in your life to allow your soul to breathe. Just slogging on fails to facilitate recovery. Instead, you must make room for recovery and resilience. Thus, start with five to ten minutes, morning and evening. Also, take a day off now and then. Or spend a few evenings a week doing nothing.
Today’s question: When do you feel tempted to get by with a swipe on your home screen? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Under the rug – part of your soul?”
