I hope you take a moment today and fill your soul with beauty and peace.
It’s ok to rest. You can’t give from an empty cup.
Refresh, restore, renew and give those lists and worries to God. He can handle it.
Photo credit: Ahmet Yuksek
Photo credit: Juan Capriano Esquer
Even in the vastness of the heavens, the intricate placement of each galaxy, the planets, and stars God sees you. You are never lost to Him in the enormity of creation. Your name is written on the palm of His hand – cherished, loved, and perfectly known. Every sigh, every tear, every mask you wear, and every thought you have is completely and fully known.
It amazes me. It always does. Such love and depth of being seen is scary, but so comforting at the same time. So hopeful.
Nothing separates you from Him. Be at peace. He is near and loves you with a fierceness that is beyond what the human mind can conceive. Safety. Rest.
It’s sacred and beautiful – this love is for you.
Wherever your path leads you today remember that Jesus is walking it, too. He won’t leave you alone to navigate what’s ahead. He’s been there already and knows exactly what you will need to steadily travel on.
There will likely be twists and turns along with ups and downs as you go. When you feel uncertain or worried about the blinds spots, perhaps try and view them through a new lens of adventure, excitement, and anticipation of good things coming. Blind spots don’t always have to be bad.
For me, I often anticipate bad things and overthink all the ways a twisty part of the path will play out in a negative way and exhaust myself trying to get ahead of the bad news. I don’t want to keep doing it that way. I’m tired and worn down. It is stealing my joy. This isn’t that way He wants us to live.
Maybe you’ll join me in trying to flip the negative narrative that so often obscures and diminishes all the good things Jesus HAS done, IS doing, and WILL do for me and for you. We won’t get it right all the time. How thankful I am that He gets it, gets us, and doesn’t stop loving us when we let worry blind us to the small blessings, bits of joy, and pops of beauty He scatters all around us, hoping we trust Him enough to see it.
I don’t want to miss out on hidden blessings, glimmers of heaven, quiet times of sitting with Him, and rest, beautiful, blessed rest.
Psalm 37:34a NLT
Photo credit: Petra Nesti
Proverbs 3:24 NLT
“You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.”
Good night, friends. The One who watches over you and the ones you love never slumbers and never takes His eyes from you. You can rest, you can let go and sleep in peace.
I pray you feel Jesus right there next to you, tenderly watching over you, speaking in heavenly languages about you, and breathing life and safety over you and those you hold dear. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords – you are safe with Him and so are they. Peace be with you.
“God is my strong fortress, and he makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.”
Is there a mountain in front of you today that seems impossible to climb? With God as your Guide and Shepherd you will get to the top of it. You will stand upon that mountain and see all that He brought you through. You won’t lose your footing because He is right there protecting you. Rest from the climb is coming and the view from the pinnacle will be breathtaking!
“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.”
Quiet your mind a moment. Imagine how it feels to rest between the Lord’s shoulders. I feel joy, delight, peace, and so much safety wrapping me up tightly in warmth and the scent of Heaven. It’s beautiful.
We are shielded all day long. We can rest, we can let go, and we can be ourselves because He wants us that way – just how He created us.
I can think of no better, safer, more joyful, and freeing place to be then in God’s presence – resting between the shoulders of the King of Heaven’s Armies.
As you navigate all that today holds in store, I pray that you pull up this image of being tucked in and held by the One who’s footstool is the heavens. Let that wash over you and bathe you in peace and confidence. He’s got you and yours. You are so loved. Peace be with you.
Father,
I lift up the one who needs some peace today. The tug of to-do lists, others’ expectations, and lack of restful sleep has them at their breaking point. The exhaustion is smothering and they just need a place to breathe. Please intervene, Jesus. Speak calm to the chaos, silence to the demanding voices, and peaceful rest to the tired mind and body. Your presence dispels worry, pushes out fear, ushers in joy, and delivers them into a spacious place of safety. The pressure that stifles is lifted. They can breathe You in. The fragrance of Your breath as You speak life to their soul is scented with love and peace. It is full of healing. Thank you for meeting them right where they are and wrapping them up in Your arms.
In the name of Jesus,
Amen
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.
Extravagant Hope 