Lent Day 9: Spiritual thew

MW Word of the DAY: thew \THOO\ noun

Meaning
1 a : muscular power or development b : strength, vitality
*2 : muscle, sinew — usually used in plural

Example Sentence: "Care I for the limb, the thews, the stature, bulk, and big / assemblance of a man! Give me the spirit," retorts Falstaff to Justice Shallow in Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 2.

Sometimes it looks like human determination can get us through a pinch. We see a project, grit our teeth, and plunge ahead.

"Stop. Wait when you get to the open door. Do you feel like this is God's timing for you?" asked my friend. "Be respectful of God's leading."

We were talking about how God leads us, examining how we use the spaces in our homes as a metaphor for God's guidance in the immaterial world. The conversation was a strange juxtaposition with the spiritual disciplines I am reviewing as I write a paper on Church history and the disciplines.

Sometimes we think we must power through, when the discipline God asks of us is waiting in silence or solitude. In those quiet hours, we are developing fruit of the Spirit like patience and peace, resting before God while stretching our spiritual thews.

Read more:
*Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God"?

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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. Isaiah 40:27-31 NIV

*Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV