Content with God at My Side

Q. How do you rest in the Lord?

Resting in the Lord is not easy. Perhaps it is one of the hardest things to do. We have so many things to accomplish that we often begin our day thinking about what needs to be done. For me, the most important part of my day is the early morning hours. It is the time when I can read my Bible and study without any disturbances. I don’t listen to music because it breaks my concentration. Also, I make it a point not to answer the telephone. Most of us have an answering machine. That is what it is for. Let the phone get the message and wait until later on to check the recording.

Each day that you set aside time for God, He gives you direction and helps you know that He is with you each step of the way. Psalm 46:10 tells us to “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth…The God of Jacob is our refuge.” God is to be praised and if we will quiet our attitude and listen to Him, we will find our day goes easier with Him by our side. If I forget to take time for God, then I have left my best friend waiting for me. God is my only security each day, through both the good times and through the rough times.

Listening to Christian music is another way that I can relax and feel God’s presence. Music has always been a part of my life. My favorite Christian songs are hymns and praise and worship songs. Famous Christian people like Fanny Crosby, Selah, Point of Grace, and Lauren Talley have written down their thoughts about their relationship with Christ. As I listen to the songs and their message, I feel calmer. And sometimes I feel so close to God that I join along and sing with the music. Psalm 69:30 says “I will praise the name of God with a song and will magnify him with Thanksgiving.” In the Old Testament even King Saul had David come into his room and play music to calm his troubled spirit. The Bible mentions a variety of musical instruments such as the harp, flute, cymbals, and trumpet. We are meant to praise God in song and through music.

Reading Christian novels helps me to relax as I let my mind completely go along with the story line. Authors such as Francine Rivers, Tracie Peterson, Janette Oke, and Robert Whitlow are some of my favorites. Their description and insight into characters shows the process by which others turn their lives over to Christ. The novels reach inside me and pull at my emotions and show me that others have problems to solve, too. We have to remember that His plan is greater than our. If we focus on Him, we can be a testimony to others. They will see the difference God makes in my life and I can share His word with them.

Spending time outside and looking at nature is another way that I can draw close to God. My mind will often just look at the landscape or the sky above and I can realize that the world around us is something that God has created. I can look at the petals of an open flower, the green and brown hues of the landscape, and the blue hues of the sky above and see His hand there. I can look at the colors of a rainbow after the rain and recall His promise to mankind given in Genesis. Looking at the wings of a hummingbird flapping rapidly or a picture of a butterfly sipping nectar with his wings tightly against his body inspire me. The more I look at things around me, the more I appreciate what God has done and realize that He can handle everything. In Colossians 1:15 we are told “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” God’s world is his canvas of colors painted just for us.

I have always been a people watcher. Taking time to look, really look at people and their faces also show insights into God’s world. The face reveals so much. Often I can see the emotions etched on the face. They can range from despair to hope or joy or contentment, or fear. Some people are at peace with the world around them and no matter what happens they seem to be able to handle it. Some people look anxious and are rushed in their daily activities. They walk with a brisk step and are focused on only what needs to be done. They miss seeing others who could use a kind word or may need assistance. When I look, really look into the face of someone I have seen the highest creation of God and am more aware that I am not the only person in the world who has problems.

“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another, love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil or reviling but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” (I Peter 3:8,9) Taking time to let God to show you something special help us to learn to rest in the Lord. I change my priorities when I take time for others. God sees each of us as an individual and is interested in us and our personal problems. When trials come my way rather than spinning out of control, I can ask God to help me each step of the way. I don’t have to let my emotions control my reactions. When I rest in the Lord my problems seem less insignificant since I don’t carry the burden. God is in control and he can help quiet my anxious spirit. He is the only one who can give me peace and has my best interests in His focus.

The obvious question now is, are you really that good at resting in the Lord? No. I can talk about it and know what I should do but that doesn’t mean that I always do what is right. I am a human with limitations and I often fail short of doing what is right. Many, many times I take over the control of my life and end up feeling stressed out. I worry over things that may never happen and can even let fear take over my life.

I try to read my Bible each day and let God guide me into other directions. Yet there are days when I am too busy to take time to spend with God. It’s not right but I do it and I’m sure that I am not the only one. I try to take time to write every day and putting my thoughts on paper helps me to move away from the busy day and focus on God. As I write and let my thoughts flow along with Him, I have another form or peace or rest. My mind focuses on Him and I can move away from distractions and into His presence.

Resting in the Lord is one of the best ways to live life. He takes over our problems and carries our burdens. He doesn’t want His children to be worried or insecure. Resting means that we have to slow down our pace but when we do, we can better see the world through God’s eyes. He wants us to trust Him. He loves us and cares about us. We can relax and let His spirit flow through us so that we are in touch with His will. Perhaps Psalm 37:7,9, 11 says it best. “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him…those who wait on the Lord shall inherit the earth…and delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Peace. Which one of us doesn’t want peace in our lives? We can find it in His arms and He will guide us each day.