Restore our fortunes, O Lord.
Restore our energy.
Restore our motivation.
Restore our vision for the future.
At this point in the semester, I think most college students would agree that they need some restoration. You start the semester excited for new classes and new opportunities, but after two months that motivation starts to slip away. It takes more effort to get out of bed in the morning. It takes more effort to write the reflection that your professor assigned as homework. It takes more effort to go over your notes one more time before you go to bed. The carrot dangling ahead that keeps you going is spring break. It doesn’t matter whether your plans for break are to go to the beach with your friends, to go home and be with your family, or to stay on campus; the idea of no classes, no assignments and no real commitments pushes you through.
Okay, so probably the majority of you reading this aren’t college students, but everyone needs breaks. It could be that your work schedule doesn’t allow for you to take off for long stretches of time or you’re a parent and you can’t put your children’s needs on pause while you go on a vacation. But that’s when God comes into the picture. “Restore our fortunes, O Lord,” the psalmist pleads.
In those times when you’re burnt out and it seems like there’s no way to revive your desire to keep moving forward, may God restore you.
we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
‘The Lord has done great things for them.’
The Lord has done great things for us,
and we rejoiced.
Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
carrying their sheaves.
Quite well thought out. May you be refreshed by your spring break and inspired to keep slogging ahead.
A nice reflection on this Psalm. I’m so glad God is faithful to restores us. On to the finish line of this semester!
How interesting it was for me to read your reflection this morning. On my walk in to work this morning, I was longing for restoration and a holiday. I am a mother of 4 and work full time, both of which are not allowing me a holiday. I will stop longing for a holiday and allow God to restore me. Thanks for your words of reassurance.
A good choice and a beautiful Psalm. May the coming spring break bring you, Becky, and each one of us renewed energy and restoration.
An excellent reflection, Becky. It started my day on an island in Puget Sound with a smile.
Enjoy your Spring Break!
yes, becky, we are not all college students. . .i am a gramma. a gramma that was driving home from work last night in tears while praying for my sons, daughter and grandchildren. thanking the lord this morning for your good reflection and for his reviving word. . .like the watercourses in the negeb
A very thoughtful and appropriate response for all of us, Becky, college student or not! Thank you for sending us off on a direction that makes that psalm up-to-date for our needs today.
Ann answer to prayer for this burnt out pastor. Thank you