Renewed...

I am living proof that it is possible to be both exhausted and renewed.  Seems like quite the contradiction of terms, doesn't it?  I won't bore you with the details, but this week was supposed to be the calm (fewer commitments outside of work) after the storm (student convention/revival).
Well, life happens, and you might guess that things didn't turn out as planned! Consequently, I felt as though I was living in the spin cycle...simply being wrung out.
But it was in one of the few quiet moments that I realized that even though my mind and body were at the end of themselves, my spirit was rejuvenated with truth and peace.  Completely renewed. 
II Corinthians 4:16b says,  "Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day." Paul knew something of the aging process of the body.  He understood that time does a number on us, and we can't always expect to carry out the daily demands with the same level of energy that we had in youth.  He knew that we die a little bit each day, but he also knew that, even though our bodies are decaying, our spirits are preparing for an eternity. 
What then should be our focus?  It's important to take care of our bodies with proper rest, nutrition, exercise, and activity, but ultimately our bodies are not going to survive.  Soul maintenance should be our first priority.  It is the part of us that will live forever. 
If you're feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, frustrated with your human limitations, remember you are planning toward a better day.  Keep your spirit energized.  Keep your mind focused.  And keep your eye on the prize!

7 precious little pieces of my life!