2020 is finally history! It was a painful year in many ways. The COVID-19 pandemic shook people’s trees around our world. It is highly likely that from security, health, finances, to relationships whatever loose leaves or fruit that were going to fall did so last year. Gratefully, the door to that year has now closed and we stand on the threshold of brand new and untouched opportunities. Of course, only God knows what those God-given prospects will look like, yet it will be our response to them that can make or break our tomorrow. Only by pushing our reset button will our perspective next year be rewarding. But what might that look like?
Especially because of last year’s pain, our mental and emotional system can become a bit anxious, even a bit fussy about our relationship with God. We are not sure we can trust Him with our tomorrow in our current frame of mind. David offered us a remarkable word picture to consider when he wrote Lord, I have given up my pride and turned away from my arrogance. I am not concerned with great matters or with subjects too difficult for me. Instead, I am content and at peace. As a child lies quietly in its mother’s arms, so my heart is quiet within me. (Psalm 131:1-2, GNB). Wow! What a perspective that is in stark contrast with all too many of us!
Have you fretted as I have because you did not have your daily devotions instead of being content with being devoted? Have you worried because you have not prayed enough instead of making my life itself a prayer? Too often my deep inward relationship with God is disturbed because I subconsciously feel I must constantly prove myself to Him. Instead of having such contentment and peace, I think I must control my tomorrow instead of resting in God’s arms. I suspect all of us may be more like the ancient Jews to whom God spoke through the prophet Isaiah, “Here is a place of rest; let the weary rest here. This is a place of quiet rest.” But they would not listen. (Isaiah 28:12, NLT2)
My wife was diagnosed with a blood disease at the same time my dad went to his eternal reward. In such a time I could say to God, this is not the rest You promised! I am sure some of you readers are experiencing a far greater dark cloud than I. Yet will it ever be that kind of rest if I fail to learn that a child does not need to earn its mother’s love or live in the constant fear of losing it. My God has today and tomorrow well under control even though it does not always feel like it at the moment. The child finds contentment in the simple relationship itself. That is what I must emulate.
God is concerned with my being, not my doing. He is not as impressed with my regular church attendance as He is with my heart being a continual altar unto Him. He longs for me to be a light instead of striving to shine; to be a disciple instead of acting like one. Jesus modeled this kind of relationship with Our Father and had deep internal peace no matter what adversary or adversity He faced. He rested as a child lies quietly in its mother’s arms.
When we are fussy about our relationship with our God, we will also be prickly in our relationship with others. Even our efforts at trying to be holy will be thorny and others will avoid us instead of being drawn to us.
Lord, help my attitude to be more like Moses whose face glowed after being with You but he was not even aware of it (Ex. 34:29). May I be so captivated in my relationship with You that I only focus loving You and serving others in Your name and not myself. Is that your desire as you face this new year? What might be your next step that would move you in that direction?
Resting in HIS arms what a real relationship. My personality has a bad habit of wanting to make things come out on a schedule that I create. It is and has been a challenge to truly rest in the Lord’s arms. When I have reached the point of surrender I truly find the peace written in the Isaiah passage. It is my prayer this new year that I seek a greater willingness to allow my life to be truly spirit led. That is my reset button (prayer) for this new year.
My human nature would rather have a checklist of things to do to appease God than depend on a deeper relationship with him and let him communicate to me the direction he has for my life, my prayer it that I can move away from what I tend to do and find the peace I am desiring His way.
It really struck me, that yes, we must rest in His arms – at least for me during these real times of trials that we will be facing more and more. I have had tendencies to get testy over current events, so this was an excellent word and immediate prayer followed the reading of this blog. Thank you.
For the past few years I have made it my goal to come up with a word (one word) for my self each year. This word was to be a guide, focus, compass for my life spiritually and in other ways. Before 2020 was over, I knew what my word was for 2021. RESET. Your devotion came shortly after this, and was a Holy Spirit confirmation. Thank you, Pastor Bob.