I had the opportunity to spend this past weekend at an event hosted by Patsy Clairmont, one of my favorite Women of Faith Speakers. She spoke on creativity and on how there is more in us than we even know. On Saturday night she gave us an assignment to pick a picture on our camera and write a story about it (we’d been forewarned to bring our cameras.) If you know me you’ll know that there are WAY too many pictures on my camera at any given time so much of my writing time was used up in the actual picking of the picture. But, as I scanned through my photos the one you see here drew me in with an invitation to rest. Below is the story (more of a devotional really) that this picture inspired.
~ The Invitation ~
Matthew 11:28 (NLT) Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
This is the gift – the invitation to rest. I’ve been carrying around a burden lately that threatens to bury me and yet Jesus invites me to let Him hold it. And He invites me to come into the warmth – the coziness of His arms – and simply rest. To give up my striving for perfection, to give up the exhausting exercise of trying to “figure it all out.”
He invites me to just rest: to sit in this quiet place and be still, to listen to His voice, to be flooded with His love. How can I say no to this? Why would I? He is trustworthy. My situation doesn’t change that. He’s always trustworthy.
Psalm 13:5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
With great joy I accept His invitation for rest. I let Him hold me. I let Him whisper to me of His love. I let Him assure me of His care. And after I’ve rested a bit I am ready to step back out into “life as we know it” assured that He always waits for me to come back and rest again. Anytime. All the time. He bids me to rest in His presence.
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Thank you for posting this my dear friend — I am so happy that you took the time to go this weekend. .
Beautifully written. Resting is always easier said than done. But when we do, it”s clear that God has us exactly where HE wants us….giving Him our burdens to bear. He loves us so……
Nancy, looking at the picture and reading what you wrote is so inspiring. Thank you for these words, we all need them in some way. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to write these blogs for us to enjoy, learn and absorb.
It was such a great pleasure to meet you in person this weekend. You are, truly, the woman that I had envisioned. I’m thankful that God put us together, in His way and in His timing. I love you, dear sister in Christ.
Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God.” Yes, when we rest in Him and be still and know – well, it does lift the burdens. Life is good – it’s just so daily. Thank goodness we are blessed to go to him each and every day – all day long.
Thanks for your inspirational message Nancy. You are in my prayers.
Rest is just what I need – Thank you for your insight and sharing. My devotions this AM was about trusting God – like Abraham did when he prepared to make an altar and kill his son. Trusting Him to order my day and for Him to lead me through this day.
Meeting you this weekend was wonderful, my sweet sister in Christ. Praying that all will continue to trust the Lord as He leads us where we should go.