I don’t know about you, but I am tired. More than tired, I am weary. I am tired of living in a masked world; I am tired of plans being changed and trips being canceled. I am tired of the divisive, evil world burning in pride, and hate, and godlessness. I’m tired of my kids being home all day long. And to be honest, I am tired of trying to put a good spin on it. Remember when we were all so happy the world was slowing down for a bit? And now we wonder if we will live in this strange state of limbo indefinitely. 

Today, as I ran my errands, I drove down the freeway, listening to worship music, and I just cried. It was a raw mixture of fatigue, anger, and sadness mixed with a deep and intense longing for heaven. As I cried out to my Father, I felt like he asked, Why won’t you let me comfort you? Suddenly, Scripture after Scripture flooded my mind. 

Come to me all that are weary, and I will give you rest (Mt 11:28).

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted (Mt 5:4).

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Cor 1:3-4).

And there are hundreds more. It’s so easy to forget that we serve a God who longs to console us. It’s so easy to get caught up in the noise and the anger, to feel hopeless and unsure. But as Christians, we know better. So often, we simply forget to run to the Father, yet he is always waiting with open arms. And in those arms, we find not only comfort, but truth and rest. 

God is aware of the state of the world. He is not surprised at where we find ourselves as a culture. He was not surprised when it was decided that all six of my children have to stay home from school for three more weeks. So rather than throw a fit (which I already did), I can say to my Father, Comfort me and bring me peace. I can face each day saying, Jesus, I trust in you, and my peace is in your will. I can’t change the state of the world. I have so little control over the constant disappointment and frustration; I have to give it to God or I will go insane.

And as the Scripture in 2 Corinthians reminds us, if we allow him to console us, then we are strengthened so that we can console the world. I don’t know what God has in store for us—if this storm is passing, or just getting started—but I do know that God’s plans are perfect, and messy, and painful, and beautiful, and redemptive. I know that we will find shelter and refuge under the shadow of his wings. This week, I am going to work on staying under those wings instead of running away and looking for refuge in something else. His love is perfect. May we stay in his shadow and let him console us.