Still Waters

My small group is in the middle of a study called Resting in Him by Margaret Feinberg.  Two of the five of us have two kids, and the other three work in the school system and are coaches.  Like most people these days, all of our schedules are pretty tight.  This study has been a nice reminder that God desires for us to rest, and not just once a week for a Sunday nap.  Instead Feinberg references many scriptures that discuss rest as a lifestyle choice, something we choose daily.  

One of my favorite scriptures mentioned so far in the study has been possibly the most well-known of all - Psalm 23.  Sadly I have heard it a million times and have never really listened.  Strange how we can recite it from memory yet not really know what it means.  As you know, it talks of how God, as our Shepherd, leads us to the still waters to restore our soul.  One of the questions in our book asked about what the still waters are for us.  I think God gave me a revelation in the back room of Elidio's (after a delicious meal of completely health-conscious pizza, I might add).  Maybe the still waters aren't just found in those mid-afternoon naps, but instead the still waters are the small group meetings at Starbucks, the last-minute trips to Home Depot, the late night band practices, the chaotic birthday parties.  It might not be easy to see them that way, but through prayer God has changed my perspective on all those things on my to do list.

So often I let my mind race through all the things I have to do in the day.  I fail to be present in the moment.  I fail to appreciate the blessings that surround me.  Over the last week I have asked God to change my perspective and allow me to find the still waters in all of my tasks.  Andrew said last week he was going to remove the word "busy" from his vocabulary, and he challenged me to do the same.  I have actually found this surprisingly freeing.  After all, we choose almost everything we do.  

The last week has been filled with peace, rest and yes, still waters.  May his word be fresh and new for you today.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.