Rest for the weary

Matthew 11:28-30 " Come to me all you who labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
   With a week full of very late nights and so much to do, feeling pulled in a million different directions,  I come to the Father desperate to know what this verse means, how to apply it to my life and live it out.  Come to Me, You say?  Here I am before You, for who else has the words of Life?  "...all who are weary and heavy burdened"?  Yup, that's me right now - oh, so weary, doing so many different things that I wonder if I'm doing anything well, thoroughly, with grace, being fully present. "...and I will give you rest."  not might, not could, not if you try hard enough, work hard enough, act good enough, position yourself just right.  No, just come...and I will give REST.  Isn't that a beautiful, inviting word?  REST - invites a deep breath, shoulders drop, heart settles, hope enters, corners of the mouth lift in relief. 
     "Take My yoke upon you..."  Wait.  What?!?  What was all that about REST?  Doesn't He carry the Universe?  Sounds like more than I've got on my shoulders now!  But maybe, maybe if it's shared, if I can just slip in and have Him at my side, know that we're in this together and nothing can separate us...  "And learn from Me" -  He will show how to carry that yoke.  That there might just be the key to it all.  He had late nights, many demands, people pulling him in a million different directions, but He wasn't driven by these external commands, he was led by His time hearing what the Father was saying and doing that, and the voice and guidance of the Father sustained Him.  In a yoke, there are 2 oxen - generally a well-trained strong one on the outside, who carries the bulk of the burden and directs or guides/sets the direction, and an ox in training who is on the inside, strapped in mostly for the ride and training - learning how to take direction, follow commands and do the job.  The lead ox can either be rough, jerking the newbie around and inflicting suffering when he doesn't do it right, or he can be "gentle and lowly in spirit", coming alongside, picking up the slack of our mistakes, faithfully demonstrating over and over in gentleness and humility how to walk with ease under the guidance/authority of the Father and let perfect obedience to and unity with the Master's will make the yoke easy and burden light.  Rather than fighting the yoke, learn to submit to it, making the journey restful, peace deep down in the soul.
Come to Me
Refrain 

Come to me all who labour and are heavy burdened,
And I shall give you rest.
Take up my yoke and learn from me,
For I am meek and humble of heart.
And you’ll find rest for your souls,
Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

1. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall never be in need,
Fresh and green are the meadows where he gives me rest.

2. Beside peaceful waters you restore my true self;
There you lead me to walk in the path of new life.

3. Should I be surrounded by the shadows of death,
I will not fear, for you are steadfast in your love.

4. Before my deep hunger you spread out your feast.
My skin you anoint with the richest oil.

5. Pursue me, O God, with your fathomless love,
In your tent let me dwell all the days of my life.

Text: Paraphrase of Psalm 23 
Composer: Gregory Norbet (1971, revised text 1994) 

Song

A torn veil

In the midst of a most holy moment of worship at church, I see.  The veil is split and the light of the glory of God is breaking through this full length tear in the veil - a light that called out deeply for one to step right through.  This is a blinding, all-consuming light that gives focused vision and in whose light all else fades away.  My mind says the veil between this heaven and that is oh so thin, much thinner than we realize if we but had our eyes wide open.  Yet, the truth of the Scripture is this: the veil isn't thin, it's torn.  Once, for all, intentionally torn from top to bottom that we, with intention, might step into that light and glory day by day.  Stay, remain in that place that this light and glory might be revealed in us to a dark and broken world.

    I saw myself standing on this side of the torn veil, peering in to the beauty, drawn with inexpressible desire to step through to the other side but somehow unable to take that step.  There was a calling from deep within, an invitation to step across the threshold.  It took all my will and desire to lift my feet which seemed rooted to the ground and I pushed past all the resistance, desperate to enter into that blood-bought place of fellowship with the One seated on the throne, and as I stepped in, gazing more fully at unsurpassed beauty, all I could say is holy. It is beyond comprehension to grasp that we are invited in to FELLOWSHIP beyond that veil with the Most Holy, the One above all things - more than mind can comprehend.   And it is not into a temple made with hands but into the very Presence, a sovereign Presence in which nothing else matters and everything matters.  Because He is in all things and over all things and works through all things, there's nothing I need do but take the next step in faith, trusting, resting in all that He brings and the steps He directs.  And, because He directs every step, every step matters, every moment is a most holy moment.  Every action and reaction ought to be an act of worship, an act of love, flowing out of an overwhelming sense that He is Holy, altogether other.  And walking in the light of His presence and awareness of that, our steps, behaviors, interactions become altogether other compared to the reactions of this world, such that the world looks on and says, "What is that?" 

1. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
   Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
   Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
   God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
2. Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
   Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
   Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
   Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.
3. Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,
   Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
   Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
   Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.
4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
   All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
   Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
   God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Story behind the hymn

one man acapella version

Beauty and peace

A solitary, wandering path beckons me into the cool woodland alive with reverberating praise to the Creator who does all things well.  I know a stream lies ahead as I can hear it's soft, musical dance as it plays among the rocks, gliding, leaping, laughing as it follows its course.  Calling to one another in the treetops, feathered friends add their joyful or scolding tunes- perhaps sharing the latest news or reminding each other of the goodness of their loving Benefactor.  I sit on a large mossy rock, allowing the cool water to dance among my toes too, and I drink it all in, drawn into the peace and beauty.
   Sitting on a porch swing in the cool of the morning, the Living Word in my hands, glory gently breaks the Eastern sky in pastels of blue, pink, purple and gold as the heavens revel in their role of majestic repetition greeted by cardinals morning song as the faithfulness, wonder and mystery of the Uncreated One is declared.
   What do these two scenes have in common?  Beauty.   A beauty that beckons, that invites one to participate in its glory, sit a while in it and breathe deeply of the hope and peace.  Beauty is the essence of God which he poured into his creation, and especially into the crown of His creation, and it invites one in to rest, be captivated and have the spirit renewed.  And what is that crown of creation, the breathless beauty, the gift to refresh a weary soul?  A woman.  I have a confession to make.  I fear I have long neglected this creative purpose of being a source of refreshing peace in my home that invites the family in to come and rest a while and drink from hope and peace.  I've been busy working, doing, being overwhelmed with my list or focused on accomplishments or even my spiritual or character growth that I failed to see what creation shouts out daily.  Chaos, anxiety, running from one thing to another, being stressed out, on edge, uncertain, overwhelmed...these are not beautiful, not a welcoming invitation but a flashing light to stay away.  No one wants to be invited into chaos - beauty is attractive, compelling, renewing the body and soul, an invitation to peace and that comes not by doing but by being.
     Pictures, sculptures, paintings capturing the beauty of women do no reflect them working hard, doing things but rather in repose, restful, still - and it draws one in to the beauty  I want to follow this path, walk out this journey of peace that has led me to beauty and instilled in me a desire to be beautiful, a spring of hope, joy, refreshment, peace that all around desire to come and drink deeply from - but the simple steps there just might prove the hardest - slow down and just be.  No, this doesn't mean I now have nothing to do or can neglect duties, but I must learn to do them from a restful state, a soul at peace.  I can and will still work hard, but  I want to learn to do everything with beauty in mind, with a peacefulness that invites wonder and captivates with its joy. (For more on this, read Captivating by John and Staci Eldridge)




Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heav’nly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hast’ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well-pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

Story behind the hymn
Kings College Choir Cambridge

Shalom..it's more than just peace

 John 14:27 (Complete Jewish Bible) "What I'm leaving you with is shalom.  I am giving you My shalom.  I don't give the way the world gives..." Praise God!  Praise God that He doesn't give the way the world gives, with strings attached, conditions, variability, available one moment and not the next.  When He gives, it's for life, it's full, dependent only on the faithfulness of His promise and assurance. 

   I just started reading a book that brings understanding or deeper meaning to Scriptures based on the original written languages and Jewish cultural context.   According to Ray Vander Laan, founder of That the World May Know ministries, the word "shalom" commonly translated as "peace" actually has a much more expansive meaning encompassing the whole character and nature of God, His perfection, His plans.  He leaves us with, gives us the very perfection and nature of God that we might bring God's shalom to the chaos of this world.  And isn't that what we long to be in our homes, families, relationships, work places?  To be conduits of the character- goodness, truth and beauty of the One and Only - bringing the Divine Nature and peace of the Almighty into the chaos around us and even within us? 

Indiana Corn Country

   It speaks to me of the grandest essence of peace with a weight of glory.  "We are supposed to partner with God to bring His shalom to the chaos of this world (Vander Laan)."  Gen 1:2...the Spirit of God hovered over the waters" could be translated "the Shalom of God hovered over the chaos."  I don't know about you, but that's what I need - the Shalom of God to hover over the chaos in my heart, home and work life.  I want the fullness of His nature and character to rest upon, move upon and through my life.  Because what happened when the Spirit of God hovered over the waters?  With intention He spoke, He created beauty, order, creativity, community, sustenance...He imparted Himself into something other, something empty, something incomplete till he spoke, intervened.  The presence of Holy Spirit, the Shalom of God can do nothing else; it does not hover without intention, without a development of beauty, transformation.
  And isn't that the gospel - all of it beginning to end?  God, who imparted Himself into His creation, saw it broken and with intention redeemed it that He might again and with greater depth give us His Shalom - leaving, imprinting, placing within us His perfection, nature, character and creative purpose - to go and change the world.  So, with that, shalom, my friends.  Let the peace that comes with God's perfect nature and intention guard your heart and mind that you might deliver that Shalom, be that Shalom in every place. 
Make me a channel of your peace

Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is hatred let me bring your love
Where there is injury, your pardon Lord
And where there's doubt, true faith in you

Make me a channel of your peace
Where there's despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there's sadness ever joy

Oh, master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul

Make me a channel of your peace
It isn't pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving to all men let we receive
And in dying that we're born to turn around

Oh, master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul

Make me a channel of your peace
Where there's despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there's sadness ever joy

Story behind the hymn
Song