My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore. Psalm 131

There’s a lot of things going on in our country and in the world that are alarming and attention-grabbing. But the Lord not only gives us permission to be at peace and not worry…He desires it for us! Every day, we must take the time to be at peace and relinquish all worries to the Lord’s hands. This week I have practiced visualizing myself crawling into Abba’s lap, being still, and not moving from that stillness until I feel totally content.

Some mornings as I’ve walked in my place of solitude, I’ve felt more like a fretful little one that needs to vent than a weaned and trusting child. On those mornings it seems I crawl into His lap with a flurry of words anxieties and complaints … “but how will you handle this!?” … “but this is going on now!” … “can you even believe xyz?”… “won’t you do something Jesus!?” But each time, He does eventually quiet my spirit.

The Lord’s people know what that contentment of soul feels like. It’s the place of rest where we know with confidence that The Lord who loves us beyond comprehension is the ALMIGHTY, Sovereign, one and only, Creator God that knows best and does best… and we are not.

Should we completely ignore any “big matters”? Refuse to know what’s going on in the world around us? Pretend the evil around us doesn’t exist?

I don’t think that’s necessary! We can stay educated, keep informed, think about big concepts, and discuss them with our family… but we can’t concern ourselves. The Lord will guide us each individually how much information to let in based on our minds and personalities and callings… but for His people, His desire is the same: Do not concern yourself.

Our souls yearn for peace and rest… and the world offers so much to try to satisfy the yearning. But there is nothing. No. thing. that truly satisfies and contents the soul other than Jesus. He is the One our souls were created for! HE is peace.

So the power is not in the practice of visualization, solitude, or stillness. The power is in Jesus and the hope we have in His power and His goodness. Practices like this simply help us discipline ourselves to GO to the ONE who leads us “beside quiet waters” (Ps 23).

– RJR –