Being restless is no way to live my life. As I go to sleep at night, there are times that I am unable to sleep and truly rest. I have so many things going on and the pressures of the world are beating down on me.
“2He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.” – Psalm 23:2 (ESV)
Have you ever had the chance to lie down in a green meadow under a tree with as stream rolling by? I can tell you that it is one of the most peaceful places I have ever been. In fact I recall a time when we as a family went on a river vacation with a couple of other families, one of which had not gotten away as a family for more than 3 days in quite a long time. We spent the first couple of days going strong and then the evening of the 3rd day, while sitting at the campfire with the river rolling by we looked up only to find my friend sleeping peacefully. His wife admitted that was the first time she had see that in a while. He and she were so thankful for the opportunity to rest.
When I am with God and following Him, he provides a peaceful, relaxing place to rest and let go of the things that are weighing on me. I have this place with me at all times, it is up to me to lean of God for that comfortable, restful place to rest. God knows just what we need when we need it, and He will not be stingy on providing.
It can be difficult to give up the control we have on our lives. I know that I feel sometimes like if I can just get past this point, I will be able to relax and rest. The trouble is that I continue taking on more and never really give myself the chance to truly rest. It is up to me to follow Christ and allow Him to provide for me the opportunity to rest and relax. Allow Him to remove things from me and I will have the chance to recover and get back to the work that He has in store for me.
I have to remember that my role here in this world is to do the work of God and He will provide all that I need to complete the tasks He commands me. I trust that when I need it, He will provide the restful place in the pasture, under the tree, and by the river to recharge for the next item on the list He has given me.
When you are overwhelmed, are you looking for the place to just rest and relax? Have you had the chance in the past to just lie in the pasture and sleep? What would it be like if you were able to simply trust that God will provide the chance for you to rest when you ask Him?
Trevor's Thoughts 