Pearls of Great Value

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Psalms 23:1‭-‬3 WMB

I was watching my niece run into her fathers arms after having fallen off her bike and I couldn't help but be struck by how her tears lessened as soon as she felt his hug. A thought came to my mind. Is this a reflection of how God loves on us? Maybe the healing comes from just being held. Read that line again. Hold that thought. Meditate on it. Maybe the healing comes from just being held. Could it be that it is that simple? Maybe the miracle we are searching for is right in front of us in His outstretched arms. Waiting. Maybe it's not me who is waiting. Maybe it's Him who has been so strong in patience, waiting for me to turn and walk into His arms. Could it be so easy? Would it be so hard for me? It sure wasn't for my niece. She just ran. Ran right into love. Why can't I? Why can't you?

Just be held, beloved. That's the message from heaven for today. The answer you are waiting for is waiting for you. Turn around. Do you see His face? Eyes full of love, filled with longing and compassion. And the question that comes to mind is, How could I not see it? How did I miss it? He's been here all along. Waiting. 

All along, the healing my heart is aching for has been to just be held. Held in His love, beholding his beauty. Held in arms so strong and full of provision. Held securely in the everlasting love of the One who will never let go. Ever. He will never ever let go. Held and learning to trust. Held and discovering that resting in His presence is more than enough for every problem. Holding on to Him and letting go of doing it in my way, in my provision, in my strength. 

I guess I just needed to reach this point of exhaustion, where I had no choice but to lay every burden down. And as I lay down the heaviness, the words of Psalm 23 rush over me: He makes me lie down in green pastures, and in the valley, he restoreth my soul. He makes me lie down. Those words used to stir resistance inside me, now I lift my heart to praise and say, "I thank you Abba that you make me lie down. Thank you for being the force that brings me to green pastures of hope, thank you for giving me rest. Thank you!"

Here's a thought. Rest is Holy. Jesus took a nap in the middle of a storm. So can I. So can you. Jesus knew His Father would take care of every detail while he rested. He was in a pocket of safety, under the wings of the Almighty. He knew this and so could rest without worry. This is the kind of trust that is holy, it's set apart from the normal. Likewise, it's not easy for us to stop from our striving, put aside our busy schedules, and take the day off. For me, its the hardest thing to be still. But if only we knew. If only we knew that that one day resting in Him would be so rewarding! For at the end of the day, what does it help us to gain this whole world yet lose our soul? What does it help to gain popularity, gain fame, or fortune, gain friends and relationships, yet lose Him? To lose Him is to lose life and what is pleasure in this life apart from Him? It's all fleeting, chasing after the wind. 

Why is rest essential for us? One, I don't want to be a cranky Christian, and two, let's admit it, everything looks much better on the other side of resting. Rest IS holy IF you let the Father minister to your heart. Resting means to rest from your working and striving and having a much-needed conversation with your Creator. Let Him create, let Him give you solutions, let him provide answers, let him infuse you with that which you didn't even know you needed. Letting Him- this means coming to Him and resting in His pastures, drinking in His water, and admitting your need. Letting Him- this means being vulnerable and resting in His arms despite the storm crashing over your head and the waves pounding into your boat. Do you trust that He's got this? Jesus looked at the disciple's fear-filled faces and said, "Oh ye of little faith!" In other words, Do you still not believe in me? 

I pray that as we will become mature in our faith, we will learn to trust our Father as a child trusts their earthly father. I pray for us to believe when the going gets tough, to rest when we are overwhelmed, and to stay in His arms until we accept His completed work in us. May we know that rest is holy and understand that we need Him as much as we need the air we breathe. May this thought overshadow every waking minute and be our comfort as we sleep. Resting in His provision is beautiful to Him and satisfying to His heart. It pleases Him to please you. Did you know that? Rest assured, He is delighted to be with you! May you find just as much pleasure to rest and be with Him. 

He deserves the most adoration. He is worthy of all praise. He is so worthy. Fall in love with Him, fall in love with His marvelous grace! Don't be ashamed to come to Him just as you are, His love covers a multitude of mistakes and is the stepping stone to new beginnings. He already understands, considered it all, and accepted it into His plan. Did you believe you could ever outmaneuver Him? Uh-uh, not possible. He wants you to know you can rest in His love. You can be at peace in this storm. Will you come? Will you rest? Come. Let it be a holy act of worship unto Him. 

Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10 AMPC