Let
God do his work.
Let him lead you, as he will.
He needs only your consent.
Let him lead you, as he will.
He needs only your consent.
Be
content not to see
and put aside your need to know.
and put aside your need to know.
Accept
that someone is moving
lovingly within you,
even if you do not yet recognize
that it is God at work.
lovingly within you,
even if you do not yet recognize
that it is God at work.
--The Cloud of Unknowing
Recently, I felt isolated,
discouraged and discarded – by my church. I did not understand why things were
changing or why I was feeling bewildered. During an experience of Centering
Prayer, my focus was drawn to one line in the Lectio reading that day – “Be content
not to see”. I felt that God was asking me to find contentment in God instead
of needing to know and understand.
As I continued
to pray, I kept asking God to transform contentment in me, because I knew I
could not do that with my own efforts. On another morning, while praying, I saw
my life as a candle that was barely burning, starting to smolder. I sensed Jesus’
presence tending to my flame to help it burn clean and bright once again. I recalled
the verse from Isaiah 42:3, “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering
wick he will not snuff out…”
How like the
gentle Shepherd to come to me at my lowest point. As I studied the Isaiah
passage, I was led to other verses of comfort:
Isaiah 40:11
“…he will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart”
Psalm 147:3 “He
heals the brokenhearted, binding up their wounds”
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you
rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle,
and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the
burden I give you is light.”
After these messages from God’s
word, I no longer felt isolated. God knew my situation and God was with me
offering the comfort of His reassuring presence. With hope restored, God will
enable my light to shine bright once again.
CHALLENGE
Has life left you weary, burdened
and feeling bruised? Find hope in Isaiah’s prophecy of Messiah’s gentleness
with the broken. Find help with your weariness by accepting Jesus Christ’s
rest.