A GENTLE PACE
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” Psalm 23:2-3, ESV
Theme: We can have confidence because the Shepherd leads us.
WORKER BEE
Recently, I’ve written about retirement and my new season of life. Can I tell you that I am having a hard time “lying down in green pastures”? I wake up with a to-do list on my mind. They may be small things like calling and making an appointment, writing a letter, or going grocery shopping. I am not yet in the “go with the flow” spirit of a calendar free of meetings, deadlines, and responsibilities. I have never been a visioner, but a worker bee; and a worker bee who is not working dies in the natural world! Yes, I understand and practice a Sabbath rest, but I mean, Every Single Day?
LEARN FROM ME
Maybe you can learn from me, while you are still wrestling kids into the van or preparing for your presentation at school or work. God would like you to be at peace, and at rest, even as you are working and doing. His plan is to lead us — daily — into His peace. So, tomorrow, let’s wake up and spend ten minutes sitting out on the porch, quietly listening for God's voice. Write down the list that plagues you and pray over it, releasing your plans to God. Take three deep breaths and turn away from the rush for five minutes. This will be my new plan. I will move slowly.
It takes intentionality for us to lie down in green pastures. Yet when we then rise and head into the office, we carry His peace with us. His plan is not an obsession with a to-do list or a five-year-plan, though He does call us to plan and to work hard, even as if we were working for Hiim. But consider that more than our efforts, He wants our hearts. He wants what is best for us – a gentle pace which restores our souls and draws us closer to our Father. Then, from that place of relationship, we walk in righteousness – whether at work, at home, at school, or traveling. We produce good works from the fruit of our lives beside our Shepherd.
Make It Personal: Are you a doer? Are you a fretter? Maybe you are happy-go-lucky and just tackle things as they come. All of our attributes have a weak side. Be a sheep who lies down at the feet of the Shepherd, watching and waiting for His direction. He will give you not only peace and rest but will show you your next steps for the day. And in following that direction, you will find success, favor, and confidence that comes from operating only in the center of Our God’s will.
Pray: Lord God, I wait before You. I bring my worries, my lists, my plans...I give them all to You. Direct me, change me, lead me in Your plans for my day. I love You and want to walk in Your way. I offer both my work and my downtime to You. Lead me in paths of righteousness so Your Name receives glory! In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
Read: Matthew 11:28-30; Psalm 27:4, 40:3, 100:3, Isaiah 26:3; John 14:27; Colossians 3:23
Weekly Memory Verse: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:10-11, ESV