Why Must I Leave?

“You restore my soul,” I muttered prayerfully, sipping my hot coffee on the porch in the morning stillness as birds sang overhead. For the first time in weeks, the world stood still while I sat on the swing and watched God’s creation wake up. There probably should have been some deep, pensive conversation with the Lord within the gift of stillness. In that particular morning, though, I had nothing to say. Without putting it into words every breath was filled with thanksgiving simply because rest had been scarce for months, and breathing felt like a sacrifice of praise.

“I’m exhausted, Jesus. I don’t think I ever want to leave this little spot.” I mentally toyed with the idea of asking Jesus to keep my coffee cup full and hot so I could stay forever. The wind picked up just then, almost as if the God of the universe was laughing at my idea, but as the moments ticked by, I could feel my heart strengthen.

I was watching Psalm 23 come to life in my own heart and mind! My Shepherd knew how demanding life had become. He knew how far and how hard he could push me before he needed to give me time to simply rest, without threat of being interrupted until my heart was truly strengthened and rested.

Too often, I just want to “hang out” in the green pastures and calm streams portion of Psalm 23. Yet God allows us those times of rest to prepare us for the sifting, stretching, and growing of our faith which are still ahead of us. Life’s purpose is not the glorious the green pasture seasons of our lives. Rather we are called to live as proof that God restores us when we need it most so that, no matter how weak we are, he can continue to glorify himself through us.