Lately I have felt the pressures of daily living closing in. It seems like I’ve been either frustrated or overwhelmed. I just can’t do it all, though I try so hard to do so.
I made a date with Jesus. More than the quick Bible read I dash off before running to work in the morning, or the last quick devotional before bed at night. I figured the only way I was going to sit still long enough to pray was to make a date and shove everything aside. I was right.
But He surprised me when I actually gathered my Bible, my journal, my study notes together. He asked me to set it all aside and just sit with him and listen. That was hard to do at first. It felt like I was wasting time. And time is money…er…precious, or something! It was hard to sit still without accomplishing a project.
As I listened, I had the picture of a Shepherd, his staff with the crooked end latching around a bleating sheep on the ledge of a cliff. It had fallen off the grassy meadow. The Shepherd hauled up that stubborn old sheep that found herself in trouble as she wandered off with headstrong determination, trying to do her own thing. Yep, that was me.
As He hauled me back over the precipice, He reminded me that I really can’t do life on my own. I need Him to direct, to guide, to walk alongside, to encourage, to point out the nourishing grassy places, to give me the sweetest water that will nourish my soul, as well.
A quiet place. Not there often.
I wonder why I think everything depends on me and if I don’t deliver at the time I think I should, the sky will fall?
Yes, stuff still has to happen. Stuff still has to be accomplished, but the Shepherd who calls me by name and calls me His own gives me peace when I take the time out with Him. His rod gives me guidance and His staff gives me safety.
Ah – blessed peace. And a wonderful Savior who is the Great I AM in all things.
“I am the Good Shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own” John 10:14.
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