Let Jesus Find You Here

It has been a hard winter.  I don’t know about you, but it seems like so many are struggling this season.  More people have been sick than I can remember in previous years.  For those with young children, the waves of sickness can feel never ending.  So many are feeling overwhelmed.  Many I’ve spoken to are grieving the loss of loved ones or filled with anxiety over a loved one battling cancer or life-threatening disease.  These events threaten to take us out, but somehow, we keep going, our emotions getting lost in the busyness of life.  The constant anxiety can begin to feel normal, but each new circumstance threatens to overwhelm our capacity to cope. We all feel the weight of the world, sometimes and we need space to feel and a place to rest.

The other night, while preparing for bed, my 10-year-old daughter said to me, “Mom, at times I felt Jesus so close, like He was right beside me, but lately I feel like I can’t feel His presence or hear His voice”.  Can you relate?  Have you experienced spiritual dryness lately?  I told her the truth that I know, but do not always feel; “Even when you can’t see Him or feel His presence, He is still right beside you.  He is here with us now”.  

Ever since I was young, I enjoyed praying or singing the Psalms.  A line from the song, “Still Waters (Psalm 23)” by Leanna Crawford says “…write Scripture on your heart for when you need it. Anxiety hates Psalm 23, so say it to yourself till you believe it…”. 

Praying the Psalms can be a meditative practice that calms anxiety but also reminds us of who God is and that He is always at our side.  At the times in our lives when we find ourselves in the desert, we know that the Lord is walking with us, leading us to “green pastures” and “still waters”.  Psalm 23 invites us to rest and be restored.  If you’ve been feeling weary lately and are in need of restoration, I invite you to meditate with me to the words of this Psalm.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…

The Lord is my shepherd.  He is a good shepherd who protects our flock and leads us to safety.  He is trustworthy.  He knows me and calls me by name.  He is concerned for my wellbeing: he loves and cares for me.  When one of us gets lost, he will go to any length to find us.  He will never abandon me.  He provides for me.  I lack nothing as long as I am with Him.

In green pastures he makes me lie down…

In the desert, he provides for me in abundance.  I can rest in Him. I can release the tension and anxiety I feel.  I am in a safe place; the Shepherd is watching over me.

He leads me by still waters: He restores my soul…

I can be still.  The Lord is taking care of everything.  He is always working for my good.  He wants me to rest in Him, to trust Him.  In Him my soul rests and finds peace.  Like the woman at the well, he brings me “living water” that becomes like a “spring of life” within me, and I am restored.

He guides me along right paths for the sake of His name.

With his rod and his staff, he leads me and shows me the way to safety.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me…

Even when I am walking through a dark valley, facing suffering, doubt, fear, death and darkness; when evil is all around me threatening to take me out…Jesus, You are taking care of everything with your mighty power. I trust in You.

You set a table before me in front of my enemies, You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.

The Lord pays attention to my needs and desires.  He shares His friendship with me and welcomes me into His house.  He shows me that I am wanted with Him.  The Lord gives to me generously.

Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me- all the days of my life…

The Lord pursues me in His goodness, to heal me, to save me.  The Lord wants me to dwell with Him for all eternity.

I will dwell in the house of the Lord for endless days…

The Lord is my firm foundation- with Him I am safe and secure.  He has prepared a room for me to be home with Him for all eternity.  With the Lord I am wanted.  I am provided for.  I belong.  With the Lord I am truly home.