Another week of stay-at-home orders. Another day of statistics and analyses and projections for physical distancing to continue for a month of Sundays. For some, the journey is easier than for others. Yet, we all grow weary of the changes, turmoil and controversies. We no sooner awaken than our minds are spinning. Questions lurk as we swim through uncertain waters. Our stamina wanes. Our minds grow sluggish. We find ourselves carrying a deep weariness. We long to pull away and wind down. And so we pray:
“Today, God, we just want to rest; to rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1)
We wish to step out of the downward spiraling of our thoughts.
We resign from trying to understand or figure out all the details and what is unknown.
We shed the cloak of tension and stress, woven with massive amounts of opposing information and opinions.
We box up all our frazzled feelings and emotions and leave them at Your feet until they dissipate in the pervading peace and joy that emanate from You.
We desire to break through the façade of impressing others, painting false perception of carefree lives, while working desperately to cover up failures and weaknesses and fears and strife.
We seek to trade despondency for passion, depression for hope, fear for faith, uncertainty for truth, and sorrow for joy.
We long for the rest Jesus promises to those who are weary and burdened. (Matthew 11:28)
We need the peace that passes all understanding that only You give. (Philippians 4:7)
We hunger to rest daily in the finished work of the cross – Your perfect, complete salvation. (Hebrews 4:10)
We yearn to bask in the light of Your glory today.
Knowledge of others, both near to us and around the world, dealing with horrific circumstances, nudges shame awake in our guts. Yet, our needs are real.
Forgive us for looking in the wrong places for rest. Guide us away from our attempts to satisfy our hunger for peace online. Lead us away from news briefings and headlines and hour-after-hour coverage of shifting opinions and shaky truths. Redeem us from our own pious opinions, wavering thoughts and self-assuredness that block us from true rest.
Remind us there is only one place our longings can be filled. “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
There. Right there.
There is our answer, Lord. Only in coming to You, Jesus, will we find rest. The only place our weariness is lifted and our burdens will cease. Remembering our position in You, abiding in Your ever-present nearness, our longings will be fulfilled. Our needs met. Our rest certain.
Please Lord. We are tired and annoyed and frustrated and lonely and bored and anxious and so very sick of it all. Gather us to your side and hold us until Your perspective becomes ours and we find rest. Satisfied. Content. Satiated with Your peace. Still. Right there in the shadow of your wings. (Psalm 57:1) Remind us to draw near You daily so we can operate from a place of rest.
And may we come away from our time with You reenergized, perseverance rekindled, eyes open to see need, hands and feet itching to serve others, to represent You well in this unique time.
Thank you, Jesus. Amen”
Photo by Dingzeyu Li on Unsplash
