REFUGE
Today's reading: Numbers 29:12-30:16, Luke 3, Psalm 60:1-5

"But you have raised a banner for those who honor you--a rallying point in the face of attack." Psalm 60:4 NLT

I remember the first 5K I ran.

I had practiced for weeks. I had trained inside on the treadmill and outside on the track. I had mastered my breathing, determined which pace worked best for me and laced up my favorite running shoes.

The morning dawned crisp and cool. The starting gun sounded and we were off.

I plugged along, step after step.

It was going just as I had thought it would, and then I saw it--the water station.

The halfway mark.

The spot at which they handed us cups of water as we jogged through.

It wasn't a rest area. It wasn't a spot where they had set up couches for us to catch our breath. It didn't even have chairs for us to spell ourselves.

It was a drive-thru of sorts.

Kind of like the rallying points God provides for us.

We keep going through them.

We get what we need and we continue on.

We rest our minds and hearts, but we keep on the journey of faith.

He gives this place of peace as a respite. As a watering hole. As a refilling station. But it's not a place to camp out. It's not a final destination. It's not where we end our race.

Notice where His banner is flying and set that as a goal to reach today. Notice where He wants to comfort, refresh and revitalize you and go that direction. Find His moments of peace and encouragement in your day.

But just go through--just go through!