I was out taking Luna (our sweet Cockapoo) for a walk and she was just a bundle of energy. She was pulling on her leash because I was clearly not walking fast enough. So I decided in the moment to go for a little run. Not a holy moment… I got half way around the block and I thought I was going to die. Even Luna got tired.

Isaiah 40:31. But 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.

It has not been my personal experience to run and not nearly die much less, not grow weary. What this verse is saying doesn’t seem natural at all but that is exactly what this verse is saying. In fact, this verse provides a roadmap to do the natural in a supernatural way.

The verse begins, “but hose who hope in the Lord”, another translation says: those who wait on the Lord, or those who look for the Lord, will renew their strength.

There is a strength we have access to when our hearts are set on the Lord and that strength enables us to do natural things like running, in a supernatural way. It is impossible to run and not grow weary in a natural way; it is impossible to walk and not be faint.

The Lord is inviting us to find a strength that is found in seeking God’s presence. Strength is found in — hoping for; hoping on; waiting on —seeking God’s face.

And personally, there is strength that I have found in my life from fixing my gaze on God that (in hindsight) enables me to go through difficult circumstances in a supernatural way.

We are in a season of Advent. It is a time of hopeful anticipation, spiritual reflection and renewed strength. Today, the Lord is inviting us to do the natural supernaturally and the supernatural, naturally! And the answer is found in God’s presence — waiting on the Lord, hoping in the Lord, and seeking God’s face.