Lahat tayo ay napapagod, but there is One who never gets tired. Not only that; He is also the One who can strengthen and refresh us. Welcome to our short series “Jesus Refreshes the Weary.”

“Ang pagpapala ko ay sapat sa lahat ng pangangailangan mo; lalong nahahayag ang aking kapangyarihan kung ikaw ay mahina.” … Kaya’t buong galak kong ipagmamalaki ang aking mga kahinaan upang lalo kong madama ang kapangyarihan ni Cristo … Sapagkat kung kailan ako lalong mahina, saka naman ako nagiging malakas.

2 Mga Taga-Corinto 12:9,10

There’s this famous Kdrama titled Twenty Five Twenty One kung saan isang professional fencer ang bidang babaeng si Na Hee Do. She practices many hours every week and had to give up some academic classes in favor of training. Another memorable Kdrama protagonist na atleta rin ang lead character ay si Kim Bok Joo sa Weightlifting Fairy. Like all athletes, kailangan ay lagi silang malakas, malusog, in shape, at alerto.

However, both characters have weaknesses. No matter how healthy their immune system and strong their stamina, may hangganan din ang kanilang lakas. Maging sa aspetong mental, emotional, at psychological, they, too, have limitations. Usually, dumadating ang kanilang vulnerability at pagiging flawed sa oras na kailangan nilang mag-compete.  

What these characters are going through is very relatable. Walang sinuman ang ligtas sa kahinaan at shortcomings. Kahit ang pinakamalakas at masipag na tao ay umaabot din sa puntong gusto na lang niyang mahiga at magpahinga. But the problem is, even during those times na nanghihina tayo, hindi naman tumitigil ang mundo. Kalimitan pa nga, kung kailan pagod na pagod na tayo, iyon pa ang panahon na kailangan nating lumaban.

Dito papasok ang pangako ni Jesus sa 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”  What’s amazing about God’s promise is that it doesn’t only apply to physical weakness, He also gives us strength when we are emotionally weary, when we are tempted, and when our minds are bombarded by negative thoughts. He promises that “… those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

Sana ay na-recharge kayo ng mensahe ng ating series na “Jesus Refreshes the Weary.” Bukas ulit!