“Soul nurturing is not optional. It’s not a luxury, but a necessity. You could almost define the worn-out woman as a person who has allowed her soul to parch and wither because, for one reason or another, she has not been able to spend time beside Still Waters. None of us can find balance in our lives if there is no room for the Quietness that restores our souls.” (excerpt from Simple Living for the Worn-out Woman).
Neglecting time alone with the Lord impoverishes me. Even good things are an enemy of the best: all of the projects going on, babysitting, decorating, cleaning, Bible Studies, etc. Though they are good things and even necessary, they are causing a busyness in my life that takes God out of the number one place and puts Him somewhere down the line… third, fourth, fifth place… and some days… even last. It happens slowly at first, then as the pace of life starts to speed out of control, I suddenly realize how weary I am. How bone dry my soul is. And all the precious things of the Lord that I’ve tasted over the past few months are growing dim… the peace that passes all understanding has gone away. I’m sad to admit it. My times with Jesus in the last few weeks have taken a backseat to all of the important things in my life. Really, what could be more important than Him? How can I treat Him like this after so much love and grace that He has faithfully lavished on me? Once again I must come back to His feet and seek forgiveness for my faithless heart.
I spent the day at my mom’s today and ended up in a bevy of tears as I shared how empty I’ve been feeling and distant from my True Love. And boy, can I ever tell when I haven’t been spending time with Jesus: a whole lot of Missy starts coming out instead of the Holy Spirit! Mom reminded me how wonderful it is that we can’t “fix” ourselves on our own… our need for Jesus is the greatest blessing we could ask for. When we are needy and desperate, that is when He is able to shine. It is only by His grace that I can receive His mercy. His mercy that wipes away my sins and condemnation and that sets me on the solid Rock once again. Praise Him that His love for me is not based on my performance or merits!
But why does it take me so long sometimes to push through the fog and busyness to get back to Him? I read this quote today by Jerald R. White, Jr.: “Does Psalm 1 describe the kind of person you are – one who is planted by streams of water in a dry, arid desert, one who is always spiritually fresh and fruitful? Oh, how the enemy likes to attack the weakness of our flesh through the busyness in our lives and thereby distract us from meditating on God’s Word day by day. The enemy hates for us to become the blessed, happy person who is radiant to those around us.” There was an ache in my heart as I realized that I have fallen prey to the enemy’s schemes once again. If he can draw me out from the place of relationship and intimacy with the Lord by any means possible than he has succeeded in separating me from my lifeline… my power Source… The One True Vine. And without being grafted into Him, there can be no real peace, or joy, or rest, or fruit, or life. I have allowed my soul to parch and wither out in the desert instead of grafting myself into His life-giving Vine. It’s time to return. To let Him graft me in once again. To be filled up to overflowing. To spend time beside the Still Waters… and have my soul restored. To sit at His feet.
My mom has a sign above her kitchen sink that reads: “Home sweet Home. My Center. Here I abide. In You I live and move and have my being.” I love that. It makes me sigh with relief as I surrender my heart and time to Him once again. Jesus, be my Center.
“In prayer there must be deliberateness – the secret place, the inner chamber, the fixed time, the shut door against distraction and intruders. In that secret place the Father is waiting for us. He is certainly there as He is in Heaven. Be reverent, as Moses when he took the shoes from off his feet! Be trustful, because you are having an audience of One who is infinite sympathy and love! Be comforted, because there is no problem He cannot solve, no knot He cannot untie!” – F. B. Meyer
