Come away
I sat at the computer looking through the online updates. Some shared highlights of their day, photos of themselves and family members, Bible verses, fun graphics or videos. Unfortunately, also mixed in were news reports, rants and frustrations of the state of our country and our world. I felt my soul sinking, overwhelmed at the negativity, anger, and hopelessness.
Then a quiet voice within me beckoned, “Come away.”
I sat for a few moments, surprised I had a choice. Troubles and distractions are so troublesome and distracting, they pull, claw at us to pay attention to the neediness of the needs. Yet even Jesus would often withdraw to a quiet place. Even in the clamor of the world around Him, He made time, took time to step away.
There is an art of stepping away, walking away, to get back in step to walk with The One who is The Way. Like the football players who sit on the bench after a big play and reach for oxygen, we need to breathe the breath of life.
We need to take time to turn away from the world and look up to The One who created the world.
He beckons, “Come away.”
Overwhelmed? Is the noise, the news, the clutter and clatter of everyday life too much? Are you gasping for breath? Come to a quiet place and rest. Rest is found for the one who rests in Jesus. Soul-strength is in the quietness and rest of The One who made your soul. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.
Come away.
Jesus said, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while….” ~ Mark 6:31 (NKJV)
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” ~ Matthew 11:28 (NASB)
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” ~ Psalm 46:10 (NKJV)
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul…” ~ Psalm 23:1-3 (NASB)
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…” ~ James 4:8 (NASB)
“Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail).” ~ Psalm 55:22 (AMPC)
“For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength….” ~ Isaiah 30:15 (NKJV)
Adapted from The Forgotten Resting Place by Lisa Buffaloe https://amzn.to/2KmFNCA
Photos by Lisa Buffaloe