“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”–words of Jesus, Matthew 11:28-30.
Yesterday I was on the trail near my house walking by the lake. I have noticed ducks and geese as they sit near the edge of the water on the ice, and watched as they plop in the water and chase their neighbors.
I think this lake is a resting stop of sorts for the waterfowl. Every year scads of geese land in the lake, necks outstretched, honking at their neighbors. The mallards paddle around, sticking their tails in the air as they grab pond weeds off the bottom. A few days ago I saw two bald eagles out on the ice. One was eating a fish or other animal while the other stood by, sentry-like. Last night I saw other migrating birds I had not seen there before— mergansers, other types of ducks, loons, and some type of birds I couldn’t identify. Black heads, white stomachs, orange feet and bills, standing on the ice. They looked like penguins, but I’m sure they weren’t that! As the weeks pass, I know many of these birds will disappear, as they head north on their big adventures.
God is a resting place for us as we go from adventure to adventure. When life churns up, God provides shelter from the storm. When we are tired, we can curl up, protected, in God’s arms. When life beats us down, we can find solace in His grace, love, and joy.
As I listen to people around me, whether in my household or as I listen to relatives, neighbors, friends, or strangers, it’s obvious people need a place to land. A place to find solace and rest. A place to get off the merry-go-round of life and just “be”. A place to re-charge and renew. In my own life, things are picking up a little. I’ve been doing sketches to enter into a show this weekend. I’ve been invited to join a second gallery. I am creating a new product line of artwork. I know my soul needs some rest before these new adventures, how about you?
My hope today is that you can find rest. Maybe it’s in your home. Maybe it’s out in nature. Maybe it’s on a vacation. As you rest from your current adventure, take time to reflect before jumping into a new one. Your body, mind, and soul will thank you!
Prayer– “Gracious God, YOU are the place I can find rest. Shelter me, protect me, and renew me as I step out of life and be still for a bit. Fill me with Your Spirit for my next big adventure. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
Prayer For All Days 