Tip of My Iceberg

Our last night in Arizona was a sweet pause. I sat on the porch with my little sister as we watched the sky turn into a palette of exquisite color. The sugauro cactus silouhetted against such beauty was a reminder of the stark reality of everyday life here–it can get dark and prickly.

We’d had a long day, and the weariness wore on both of us. We sat in silence, marveling at the immense grandeur of heavens above. It made me consider how small I am, how brief my life is, how tiny my thoughts are compared to the magnificence of the universe.

And God.

The day was coming to an end. All I wanted to do was relish what I was witnessing before me as the colors faded into the dark and stars and darkening clouds replaced the lovely hues of evening.

Life has rhythms that we learn as we grow, seasons of hard work and of relaxation. Times of harsh challenge and sweet respite.

In the midst of it all, everyone needs rest.

We weren’t created to incessantly work or play. We have been given time as a gift, not to abuse with all we try to fill it with but to value so that our days are meaningful and make a difference in the lives of others.

How easy it is to get caught up in thinking we deserve this or that or are entitled to one thing or another. To focus only on our desires and not on the needs or people around us often comes from never slowing down enough to understand how we’re really feeling or how we might help others.

Jesus often left His men for time alone to pray to His Father and to consider all that was happening around Him and to Him. His seeking solace in the presence of His Father, the holy pause in all that He was doing so He could readily deal with all that was confronting Him, is a picture of how we should learn rhythms of puprposeful rest.

I know how desperately I need that rest. I’ve always been a doer, and combine that with an inability to say no creates little space for me to sense quiet rest.

The prophet Isaiah reminded us that real rest can only come from being in a relationship with the God who created us.

“You (God) will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the Eternal Rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4

Slowing down for me reminds me of my weaknesses–and I’m not one who wants to appear weak or needy. I want to be the rock. The strong one.

But I’m not. I see my failings more clearly every day.

The Shepherd’s Psalm, which David wrote as a young man, reflects on the deeper needs of our hearts.

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I have ALL that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength;” Psalm 23:1-3a

Having all I need. Rest for my weary mind and body, the peaceful streams of His love flowing through me. Renewing me.

When the day is done, I don’t want to fuss over what I didn’t accomplish or achieve. I want to be grateful for all I was able to do and all those I could impact with care and empathy.

Will I choose to reflect beauty like the sunset or be dark and prickly like the cactus?

Rest gives me choices.