Guest Post – Rest in the Father

As I mentioned last week, I’m currently visiting Beautiful Gate Child Care Center in Lesotho, Africa. Board member Danell Czarnecki will be guest-blogging while I’m in Lesotho.

Photos and stories about my trip are available on this blog made by the Holland Christian Schools team.

Rest in the Father

A few years ago Pastor Tim, myself, and a few others attended a prayer summit. It was a powerhouse experience in so many ways. The worship was beautiful, what I imagine heaven must be like; a gathering of people from every tribe and tongue united in One Father, One Son, One Spirit.

The prayer times were equally as powerful. There was a palpable release of the Holy Spirit and a call upon us, both as the body of Christ, and as individuals, to take a leap of faith and step out into the “fullness of God” we read about in Ephesians; a fullness we were created to experience and share.

I knew in my spirit something big was happening, but couldn’t fully discern it at the time. I also knew I desperately wanted to be a part of it but fear, insecurities, lack of trust and more kept me from stepping out into the deeper waters.

Near the end of the summit God knew I needed a confirmation of what I was experiencing in my spirit. During a moving worship time an artist worshiped with us using his creative gift of painting. As we worshiped, what began as a rather abstract messy canvas began to take shape and come to life. An image of a woman resting between the shoulders of Jesus emerged and tears began to flow down my cheeks.

Those who know me know I am a bit of an over-achiever. As the artist added color and texture to his canvas, I was reminded that God didn’t send His Son to the cross so I could do something more, but so I could find love, trust and rest in who He is and for me to fully honor Him required for me to accept me. I was too reminded that without Jesus and His sacrifice I am a mess and without form, but God lovingly and tenderly molds, shapes, and colors me in such a way that when I rest in His arms His works manifest themselves in and through my life for His glory not because of anything I do. And the only thing that matters is His love for me and who He sees in me.

I brought that picture home with me as a reminder and hung it outside my office, not just for me, but as a reminder to all of us that “the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.” (Deut. 33:12b)

A few months ago I was meeting with someone whom God is calling into deeper waters. I asked her to close her eyes and tell me what she saw. She said God beckoning her to come to Him, His arms open and extended, wanting to draw her between his shoulders, ready to receive and embrace her. I said “What are you waiting for? Run to Him!! The one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.” She ran and though she is in deep water He is her lifeboat and he is using her to bring powerful healing to others.

What is the Lord calling you to? What are your “deeper waters”? Close your eyes, do you see Him? Run into His arms, He won’t deny you, He will catch you, you can trust Him, and He will give you rest.