SUNDAY DEVOTION: Lifted Up

I wore out my first CD player as a teenager mostly because of how often I played the 1994 Newsboys album Going Public. Every track is great, but one that’s been going through my head lately as I’ve embarked on this adventure is one called When You Called My Name.

The song is from the perspective of a pastor, perhaps newly called, who finds himself discouraged and demoralized:

Could be I’m losing touch
Could be they don’t care
Lord knows I don’t know much
Lord knows I’ve been there
I trip toward my retreat
I fall down at Your feet
Get up and try again

Lord, what did you see
When you called out for me?

Just as things seem darkest, the singer finds new energy:

I start losing heart
And then
It comes again
Lifted from despair
By the prayers of someone
Lifted from despair
By the prayers of someone

Speaking at the Boise County Lincoln Day Dinner in Garden Valley on Saturday night, Rep. Josh Tanner said that it’s easy to be demoralized in the Capitol. Nevertheless, he noticed that he often arrives at work with a feeling of positive energy, and he said it’s always due to a supporter or a friend praying for him that day.

Prayer works, and encouragement works. I’m not a pastor, and this work is not ministry, but I still find myself discouraged at times. I question the path on which I have embarked. Am I really providing something of value? Am I doing what I should be? Am I doing right by my family, heading into the uncharted territory of self employment?

And then I get a heartening email, or I meet someone who appreciates my writing, or I see a new paid subscriber. And like the singer I feel myself lifted up, I’m encouraged to keep going.

I greatly appreciate your encouragement. Let us take the time to lift each other up as we work to defend and protect this beautiful state for our posterity.