A Restful Path
Isaiah 40:31
I had been looking for the perfect photo to go with this verse to help me visualize and better understand what this verse is saying to me today, and how to apply the promise.
Of course I started looking at paintings of eagles. I had given up the search until now.
This photo of my Mom was taken impromptu. She did not pose for it, but it is a real picture of a woman waiting on God. You see, at the time of this photo, Mom was in early stages of Dementia or Alzheimer's disease. We were not sure at the time. She was often fearful, often in tears realizing something was very wrong, helplessly out of her control.Of course I started looking at paintings of eagles. I had given up the search until now.
I believe that as she stood there watching the day end, as she often did, she was 'waiting on the Lord.'
God is not saying we are going to fly, but that we will mount up, or rise above.
We will not suddenly look like an eagle in the blue sky hovering on a thermal,
but we will look like us....
only better.
only better.
It is a rising above, we are able to see a larger picture. When we do, I think we are better able to accomplish our duties in a way that energizes us so we have what it takes to be patient and kind right up to the moment we are finished for that day.
The waiting on the Lord will enable us to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit when our spirit is exhausted.
Our teaching, our nursing, our parenting and our interaction with strangers and spouses will have a better quality to it when we begin with conversing with the Lord, then waiting and trusting.
A fragrance.
A lightness,
A freedom
A freedom
"Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls."
Matthew 11:30-31 is so familiar to us that we tend to not let the import of these words of Christ sink into our hearts. Here is how "The Message" renders the verse:
"Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
My soul longs to live freely and lightly.
When I hear these words I imagine walking with Jesus, the wind blowing through my hair.
No purse over my shoulder, no shoes, no physical pain or emotional anxiety.
We are singing and laughing and there is no looking over my shoulder fearing that somebody will be offended by how I sound or look or act.
Spiritual, emotional, physical and mental energies are restored
in His presence.
I am thankful to be reminded that as believers in Christ, His presence is in us.
By waiting on Him and listening to Him we honor Him. We allow Him to manifest Himself to us. A few moments to keep company with Him sounds too simple, but what a marvelous gift!
This path to renewal is such an easy one, so much simpler than many, yet the very essence of life itself; the source of peace and unity and kinship with our Creator, our Comforter, our Savior and our Friend.
Do we avoid quiet time with God for its simplicity?
Are we allowing ourselves to be deceived into thinking that some more difficult self-sacrificing task would please Him more?
Today we are discussing and reminding each other to do ourselves a favor, and spend time with God.
Today the path to renewal is an easy one with lots of cozy places to rest and listen and wait.
Lets
encourage each other to sit still and invite Holy Spirit to explain
to us what "waiting on God" will look like for us today. ...and be renewed.
"Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
PS: I found these photos as well, that remind me to 'sit and keep company'…..Dad and my brother Steve just keeping company.
CfR
As with all my blogs, my goal is to strengthen and edify the sisterhood of believers, thus strengthening the family.
I welcome your comments that will shed insight on this aspect of our lives, and encourage someone else.
CfR
Love those two pictures, and the meanings!
ReplyDelete~Lois