Father,
I pray for the one who is wrestling with uncertainty. They are at a crossroads right now and have choices to make. Voices of friends and family are coming at them from all sides. Noise, chatter, and strong opinions are overwhelming, and they can’t hear themselves think. They want so much to do the right thing, to follow You, and please You.
I pray that You will silence the noise and bring them out into a spacious place where they can rest their mind in stillness and peace. Give them a safe place to truly hear Your voice. You have guided them in the past, and You will do it again. Please speak to them in the unique way that You created them to hear Your voice. May they encounter You in intimate and startling ways as You reveal their next steps and show them how to proceed. Remind them that You are the Alpha and Omega, beginning and the end. You see their entire journey laid out before You. You know the way.
I pray this beloved one will trust You, will believe that they hear You calling them forward, and will respond with belief that You are for them. Thank you for filling them with confidence and purpose. Thank you for guiding them along the life-road You created for them.
In Your beautiful name, Jesus,
Amen
Isaiah 30:21 NIV “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”
From Divine Presence… https://a.co/d/cdfAcB9
Photo credit: Pixaby
I came across this verse this morning. The gentle and sweet way it landed on my heart, bringing a pinprick of hot tears to my eyes, reminded me that Jesus knows what is going on and how it ends.
For many of us there are seasons, however long or brief, where we simply do not know what to do. These 13 words were a soothing and compassionate balm to my soul – healing, hope, and rest. He’s got this. There is nothing I can do and nothing that I have to do.
He will sort it, He will heal it, He will protect us from it, and He will get us through it.
Keep your eyes on Him, my friend, just that. Nothing more is needed. We can rest.
You are so loved. Peace be with you.
Peace has many different faces and invades every situation. It can be quiet and unobserved, waiting to be noticed. It happens in the wee hours of the morning while rocking a tired, cranky baby, praying for rest and calm until suddenly you feel it— peace. It was there waiting, gently and softly. Rest. Peace. All is well; you are safe and secure. Sheltered.
Peace is there on an ordinary day when things are flowing smoothly, life is pleasant, and people are kind.
Peace is there in the absence of storms, just as real, alive, and powerful as it is during grueling trials that seem endless. Peace is there when the Doctor takes a deep breath and says, “I’m so sorry. You have breast cancer.” Peace keeps you from losing yourself to terror when desperation blasts in and you feel like you are drowning and have no control. Peace is there in the middle of the “what-ifs,” saying, “Yes! What if you are healed? What if you are well taken care of and never alone in this? What if you are held in arms that are bigger than all your fears, sheltered amid all this hurt and chaos? What if? What if…”
Peace reminds you that it was there before this storm hit, and it will be there forever after. Peace lifts your face and asks you to fasten your gaze steadily into the eyes of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. It is Jesus; peace is Jesus. Such calm, such safety, such rest.
My searching and desire for peace lead directly to Jesus. I won’t find it inside myself. That will fall short every time. I have tried being self-reliant and strong enough. The One who created me, when I was but a thought in His mind, wants me to feel peace, to know He is working out all things for good, according to that beautiful, unique plan that is my life. Your life. The time He took to carefully place us right where we are, surrounded by the people and circumstances that He brought into being, shows that He knows what He is doing. We win because He is victorious over death and sin. It is ok to not know what to do if you know the One who does. It is ok not to have it figured out. He already did that.
Can we walk out not knowing? We do it every day, don’t we? We wake up and go. However, the going is easier when we understand that He has us in His hands and that nothing comes toward us that He has not first filtered through hands of love, a mind of infinite wisdom, and a heart that loves us fiercely, intensely, and intimately. This is a wild love. It is not tame or controllable. Yet, in this fierce and protective love, we find the greatest of peace. Jesus.
Jesus and His disciples had little if any leisure time during His time of ministry. The crowds were relentless. People were anxious to be near Jesus, to listen to His revolutionary teaching that set them free and released them from bondage, fear, and legalism. They heard He had the power to heal them physically and spiritually, so they came in droves with their illness and pain, with those suffering from demonic harassment and chains, for a chance to see Him, touch Him, be healed.
Being fully God and fully man, Jesus felt the physical and mental exhaustion of always being “on” and the deep fatigue of being surrounded by the hurting, needy, and lost. So, Jesus rested. He was diligent in removing Himself and His disciples for periods of refreshment, and spiritual and physical re-filling, so they could return encouraged and strengthened for the next task. He gave Himself and His disciples permission to rest, eat, and get away from the urgency of humanity knocking at the door of their hearts.
Our days may not be filled with healing the sick and enemy-harassed, or with traveling dusty roads that parch the mouth, or teaching on hillsides in the hot sun, but He knows what our days are filled with—chaotic relationships, disappointments, dreams that seem far from being realized, illnesses, past regrets that haunt our peace and the daily annoyances and offenses that threaten to become bigger than they need to be.
Jesus understands the physical and mental exhaustion of taking care of everyone else and the things we take on that are not ours to carry. Is He calling you to go with Him for a spell, to refresh and soothe your mind, spirit, and body? He is giving you permission to rest. So, rest.
From Divine Encounters…
I started a Bible study by Beth Moore called Walking with God. It is so good -eye opening, refreshing, and an invitation to go deeper.
This quote from her study stood out and has been popping up in my mind often.
Curiosity. I love this word. The image I see is like a treasure hunt of seeking, excitement, discovery, wanting real answers, and not being afraid to ask God to reveal hidden things and meanings in scripture that I don’t understand. He isn’t afraid of our questions and uncertainty. I believe He loves to walk with us, speak to us, give us His wisdom, discernment, and plain old joy that lightens our hearts and draws us close to Him. He is love.
What does curiosity look like to you?
There is comfort and so much hope in this verse. Before the Earth existed, God was there. He is with you as you read this verse, and He is already in your tomorrow. His eyes are on you.
You are not lost in a crowd of millions and your voice doesn’t get drowned out by someone louder or histrionic.
You are seen and deeply treasured. Maybe sit with that for just a minute? Let it soak into your spirit. Peace be with you.
This reminder is hope-filled and refreshing! It is ok to have big questions for God!
Doubts, difficulty trusting God and His plans, and struggling in areas of understanding Him doesn’t equal a lack of faith or sin. God can handle it. He understands us.
Like Kaitlyn states, it’s not only ok, but God expects our questions and loves us through them.
If you have questions, doubts, or fears just talk to Him. He’s the best listener.
You can follow Kaitlyn and check out her book, A Dream Fulfilled Life: A Memoir in Essays on Amazon.
I have just started reading this devotional by a fellow author and am liking it immensely!
I wonder how often we find ourselves in this trap of making our relationship with Jesus a to-do list?
*Read the Bible for a certain amount of time in the morning only – check.
*Pray for 30 minutes following a script of what to say, when, and how – check
*Listen to worship music ONLY in the car – check
and our lists go on…
I love the author’s reminder that Jesus doesn’t expect checklists, routines, or disciplines that take away from us just BEING with Him. Isn’t His presence far better and more deeply healing than our disciplines, routines, and lists? He knows us, sees our hearts, and delights when we choose just to be with Him.
It’s ok to take a hike, enjoy the silence of creation, and find Him right there with us. It’s ok to sip our coffee and allow Him to sift and sort our thoughts, fears, and schedules.
Maybe this week, we can just be with Jesus without lists, schedules, and expectations, and see what He has to say to us and how He heals us. You are deeply loved. Peace be with you.
You can find Melissa Reeve’s book on Amazon!
Follow her on FB – https://www.facebook.com/melissareeve.author
Extravagant Hope 