I’m too busy right now, sorry. I’m sure you understand? I mean, it’s hectic, right? This life…the demands, the chaos and the frenetic pace of it all. The only moments when the din fades too a low buzz is when I go to sleep, but even that is cloaked by the heavy blanket of tomorrow’s tasks, intermingled with a few dreams of missed deadlines, lacked exam preparation or some event that I will be late for. If I let it slack for a moment I will not be a good provider/husband/father/person. And neither will you be a good _____ (fill in the blank). You’re not lazy are you? Just checking….
We have lost the ability to truly rest, yet it is the one thing that we really need. When David is lead beside the still waters he speaks of the restoration of his soul, a “turning back” of his busy mind, up-and-down emotions and the desires of his heart to a place where he once was. This place exists for us today. I believe God is extending an invitation to us:
“The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zeph 3:17
He will quiet you with His love. Wouldn’t that be one of the most incredible gifts you could receive right now? A quietness that washes over your heart, mind and soul, saturating you with peace. We have all seen how a baby is quieted in his mothers arms, just a moment before crying and frustrated, now totally content and secure. In the same way our Father wants to hold, comfort and quiet you as we head into this week. Yours can be a quietness that extends past the absence of noise into the depths of your being.
But I said invitation right? Yep. You are invited to let Him love you, love being a verb here, an action of God towards you. Do you know how to accept His love? Without performing, delivering or being “good enough”? My guess is that you, like me, prefer to earn His approval before you feel you can receive what is already yours by the Spirit. In our love relationship with God we major on speaking words of love and reverence towards Him, but seldom allow Him to love us in return.
Today, God wants to love you, lead you beside still waters, even right now. It is an invitation, a wooing, for you to surrender to His affections entirely. As you choose to let Him love you, may there be a welling up in your spirit which will flow over into your mind and emotions, quieting you and restoring your soul.
Now let us know and experience the love of Jesus Christ, which goes far beyond any knowledge.
Glory to Him
WS