You're listening to Encounter.

A simple daily podcast made possible by listeners like you.

We hope to help you discover sacred moments in the middle of ordinary days.

And if you would enjoy greater access to even more free meditations, I encourage you to

download the encountering piece mobile app where all the meditations are free, as they should be.

Imagine you're walking down the street. Packages and boxes stacked high in your arms.

You can't even see over them. You feel your biceps and thighs beginning to burn and ache under

the weight. You feel weak. Your goal is the door just a few feet ahead

that you begin to doubt you have the strength to make it. Not to mention figuring out how you will

open the door without the packages crashing to the ground. When suddenly, you feel the stack become

lighter. One by one, someone removes each box. Then you watch as another someone opens the door for you.

Well, do you feel weak, weary and faint from the burdens you're carrying?

The theme of this meditation from Isaiah chapter 40 is strength. The gift of resilience.

And I pray you feel renewed so that you can walk, run, and then soar by the power and grace of God.

So to begin your meditation, settle into this sacred time and space where you can feel restored,

receive this gift of renewal. So for now, surrender your weakness and concede to the divine power.

Notice your eyes beginning to move from open to a gaze and to finally shut. Notice your breathing.

And start to become mindful of the power of the Holy Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Continue in this time of mindfulness by listening and then responding to this passage from

2 Corinthians chapter 12. And as I lead us, respond, Lord God, thank you for your gift to me of

strength. May the Lord bless the hearing and reading of his word.

Jesus said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

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