Day 521 - November 18 - A Weary Land

I saw an episode of "Top Gear" the other day that gave me an image I just can't seem to shake. For those who might not know, Top Gear is a British television show about automobiles, and is arguably some of the most entertaining TV on the planet right now. There are three hosts, and their understated British humor makes the show something like Monty Python meets SpeedVision. Connor, Cherié and I can just laugh and laugh at the antics and commentary of these three British men. Anyway, the episode we watched the other day had the three of them in the middle of Africa somewhere, and they were trying to drive three old cars across the largest salt flats in the world. The camera showed them standing on this endlessly vast white plain, with nothing visible as far as your eye could see. No life, no plants, no water, no animals - just salt. The commentary was basically "If you get lost, you'll die. If you get stuck, you'll die. If you run out of water, you'll die. If you break down, and can't fix the car, you'll die."

So they stood there, looking across this seemingly endless and barren hellhole, with the sun beating mercilessly on them, faced with the prospect of crossing it alone.

And that's the image I can't get out of my mind.

A weary land.

Nothing but dust, and heat, with miring mud just under the surface, and a pinch of salt added to help keep you thirsty.

Sounds like life, to me.

Which should, for those of you who might not understand, explain why I write so much about Jesus, and trying to know Him. One of my favorite hymns is "A Shelter in the Time of Storm", and I think my favorite line in that hymn is this -

"Jesus is a Rock in a weary land", and if you've never really understood what a weary land feels like, you might not know how desperately you need a Rock when you're in one.

So we praise God for being that for us in this time and place. Amen? Amen.

Connor had some tests done on Monday at the hospital, and we would appreciate your prayers - some complications are arising from his condition that need to be resolved. Minor at this time, I suspect, but still just another thing piled on top of the all the other difficulties he faces. Additionally, there's something wrong with Connor's cat. She's been sick for the last two days, and it's weighing on the boy. He dearly loves his cat - she brings him such joy - and so there's a lot of pent up concern about her right now. Please be praying that God would provide for him in this area.

Finally, like I am always doing, I'll remind you again to continue to pray, believing, for Connor's complete restoration. I pray every day for you - that God would make Himself real to you and strengthen your faith, that you might pray with power. Trust Him - He never changes.

E.

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