“The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.” – Psalm 23:1, 2
Have you ever stood beside a rushing river? It is both exhilarating and unnerving. There is a certain amount of fear and you become very cautious. Your heart beats faster and the adrenaline increases because you know that one misstep could cost you an unwanted dunking or worse. For some of you, this describes your life throughout the week. Walking next to a raging river of tasks and demands. You spend days carefully navigating the rocks trying to stay dry and not get swept away. This is life. It is both awesome and scary.
God knows this. That is why His design for the abundant life not only includes living and working…it also includes rest. Getting worn out and tired after a week of life in this world is natural and healthy. God wants us to live life to the fullest! But, just as important, God’s design has always included regular periods of rest. Yes, we were made to work, but we were also made to rest. The Sabbath principle of rest was created and modeled by God from the very beginning of time.
Our Good Shepherd, mentioned in today’s well-known Scripture, leads us beside the “quiet waters” as well. It is a different feeling. One that calms the soul. It restores you and you relax. The body and the spirit are renewed and we are refreshed for another week.
Some cannot enjoy the still waters. They feel guilty. I should be doing something. It’s too quiet. Something must be wrong. They cannot relax. It can be hard to just stop and breathe. However, you were made for this. Working…and…resting.
Take an opportunity to rest today. Read the whole Psalm 23 and let God massage your muscles that are so tight from walking next to the river. Come into the green pastures today. Walk with God by the quiet waters and be restored. This is what you were designed to do.