As I was walking this morning, I took notice of a nest built in the branches of a small tree in a neighbor’s yard. The branches were bare, and I thought at the time, it was a pretty fitting analogy for where we are right now. The nest was still there, offering protection, but it was in the middle of the dead dry branches. In the same way, we have our nests, our homes, that are filled with love and life, but our surroundings right now may seem bleak, bare, and “dead.” I had to remind myself though, soon the buds will begin to show themselves on that little tree, and new life will come. The nest will once again be surrounded growth, beauty, and purpose, as the tree comes to life again. The same will undoubtedly happen in our lives; we will again be enveloped by the life, and the hustle and bustle that is the normal backdrop of our daily existence.
So, what can we learn while we are secluded in our “nests” and the world seems dark, and oh-so “not normal”? I hope we can learn that it is ok and beneficial to sometimes “be still.” Anyone who has raised a child knows how difficult it can be to get them to lie down for a nap, even though that is exactly what they need. Maybe the world is getting a chance for a collective nap – or a “time out.” Psalm 23 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” Our Heavenly Father knows we need rest – not just physical rest but resting in Him, in his peace. I have pondered for some time that it seems we have lost our ability to be still before the Lord, to be quiet and wait with expectation for what he might have to say to us. We live with too much distraction, too much noise, too many screens.
I was reading this morning in Genesis about Joseph. Many of you know the story, that Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, but ended up coming to prominence in Potiphar’s household and was eventually put in charge of the whole country of Egypt. He was ultimately able to help his brothers in a time of famine, because of his position. Joseph, however, had to endure a lot before he was given this level of influence – besides being sold into slavery, he at one point was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife of trying to seduce her, which landed him in prison for a time. But the Bible says, “The Lord was with Joseph in the prison, and showed him his faithful love.” Joseph was not immune from trouble, but God kept Joseph, and worked all those things together for good, to ultimately allow Joseph to save his family. We can’t see the end game, but God can. He may be using events, as hard as they seem right now, to bring about a greater purpose in your life and mine.
I want to encourage each of us to use this time to think, to dig deeper, to pray, to seek God, to study the Scriptures, and to ask God what he might say to us during this time when we are forced to take a break from our normal routines and activities.
So breathe deep, be still, and know that He is God, that he sees you, he knows you, and your times are in his hands.
Be strong and courageous, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24
Life By The Way 