As I understand it, reserves are like accumulated savings for a ‘rainy day’ or unforeseen situations. Governments, companies, institutions, families, relationships, etc. need and keep their pulse on their reserves.
Reserves don’t just happen. They are intentionally replenished so that the institution/individual is not blindsided when a major disaster happens.
Crises also reveal if the institution/individual has the reserves to stay anchored. Recently, I learned about John of the Cross, a 16th-century Spanish priest. Studying his life and service, I discovered that John was imprisoned and tortured for his convictions, but his most profound writings happened during his detainment and persecution. (He died in prison.) John had reserves no one could destroy.
How about Nelson Mandela, that giant of a human, who, after 27 years of inhumane prison treatment for his anti-apartheid resistance in South Africa, forgave his captors and enemies? Mandela had reserves independent of his circumstances.
How about you? As challenges drain your life, do you have the reserves to keep your head afloat? Like John of the Cross, Nelson Mandela, and many others I admire, there seems to be a common denominator in their reserves: not in money, property, position, power, or connections, but in this:
Have you never heard? Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of His understanding.
He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.
Even youth will become weak and tired, and young menwill fall in exhaustion.
But, those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40: 28-31)
Now that’s reserve you can bank on😊–
Jeba Moses