REST

(Katie) Rest. It seems to be THE word of my season. God keeps bringing it up over and over and over. I'm absolutely awful at it. I am much more of a 'Martha,' than a Mary but Jesus did say that it was Mary who had chosen the good part. After a loving nudge from Ann this morning, who is amazing at reminding me to bring all of my questions to the Lord, I decided to sit down and ask Jesus what it looks like for me to rest. Jesus, maybe I don't know myself as well as I thought, HELP! 

"The Lord is my Shepard.... He MAKES me LIE DOWN in green pastures. (Psalm 23:1-3)

Immediately this verse came to mind. I felt the Lord was putting emphasis on the word Shepard, as if to first invite me to consider the role of the Shepard. Shepard brings to mind adjectives like "care," "provision," and "tenderness." A good Shepard provides for the needs of His flock. Next, a question: Katie, do you trust me as YOUR Shepard? God's questions always get to the heart of the matter. Immediately, there was a YES in my Spirit and then the command to "lie down."

Last night, James and I had the privilege of listening to an incredible speaker from Bethel Church in Redding California. Seriously, check out what God is doing there. I am praying that God will someday send James and I there. Its amazing. Anyways, last night I received a prophetic word (encouragement from the Lord), part of which focused on my creativity and that I am a worshiper who should be singing. When I heard that part of the prophetic word, to be honest I laughed and assumed the man clearly had missed it. When I sat down, James looked at me communicating that he sees it in me. But, yet again, I am too prideful to believe that my husband could know me better than myself =-)

So back to this morning, as I am sitting in the command to "lie down" and feeling completely unaware as to how to do that. And then those two words from the night before come into my mind. Clearly not my thoughts as I laughed them off. Creativity and worship.  Those are my two keys as to how I enter into rest. Not running miles upon miles. Not filling my mind with another book. Not talking to a friend. So, I worshiped...with Cory Asbury on IHOP's live prayer room stream (seriously, check it out). In my apartment. Alone. For two hours. And, as awkward as that entire picture may seem, I absolutely LOVED every minute of it. 

Jesus, Lover of my soul,

Jesus, I will never let you go

You’ve taken me from the miry clay

You've set my feet upon the Rock, and now i know

I love you, I need you,

Though my world may fall, I’ll never let you go

My Saviour, my closest friend,

I will worship you until the very end

I chose the picture above of James and I on our wedding day...in our green pasture...RESTING, together =-) Our relationship with God is like a dance, however, we are following His lead. Our primary job is to lean back and trust Him to direct us. We must learn to REST..to enter into His presence. If you're anything like me (very prideful), I dare you to ask the Lord how He created you to REST. I bet you'll be surprised. May you enter into His rest.