Our life as a Christian is a long journey of faith, requiring patience, endurance, and perseverance. But the Word reminds us that we are not called to run this race in our own strength. Our hope is not in our circumstances, nor in our ability to overcome every obstacle. It is in Jesus, who began the work of faith in us and has promised to bring it to completion.

It can be a daily struggle to lay down the burden of trying to make ourselves worthy, trying to be good enough, or trying to carry in our own strength what He never intended us to carry. But Jesus invites us to really put our weight down on Him—to trust in His promises, depend on His strength, and rest in the One who will never let us go.

As we were putting the finishing touches on this September issue of the Wine Press, Dolly Parton went on to her heavenly reward. When we think of Dolly, we remember her constant witness throughout the years, using her gifts and her songs to glorify Jesus. Her passing also reminds us that the end of this life’s journey leads straight into the arms of Jesus.

At times the obstacles before us can seem overwhelming. Yet God has not left us to fight alone. He has given us everything we need to continue running the race He has set before us

This month our focus is on Christian meditation—quietly reflecting on God’s Word and allowing it to fill our minds and hearts.

It’s easy to wake up already braced for the next thing. We’re not promised a calmer world. We’re promised Him. We pray that this issue will help you set your heart down somewhere it can rest.

The Word doesn’t promise that the world will find peace, or that the strife will cease—in fact, we know that “in the world we will have tribulation.” But we can stand firm, knowing that even as the world around us grows darker, this world is not our home.

The forces of darkness may seem to grow bolder by the day, but we stand firm knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and risen triumphant from the grave!

Jesus’never promised a storm-free life. He told us not to fear. He told us there would be tribulation. But He also told us not to fear. He is with us. He has overcome the world!

Lay aside the weights that so easily beset us and truly rest. Sabbath is a gift from God, designed not just to stop our work, but to restore our hearts and renew our strength.