Running into Rest

I feel like today is the first day of the new year for me. Today is the first day that I am back on a somewhat normal schedule. My older two have returned to school. My youngest begins her winter sports schedule this week. I am going back to work on a regular schedule. We finished all of the big wedding details this weekend. I feel like I am standing at the top of the hill ready to slide into 2012. But I am tired.


I have really been asking God what He has for me this year as I learn what it means to rest in Him. As I had my quiet time this morning, I read Psalm 42. I began to realize that the deer pants for water because it has been running. As well intended as my last few months have been, I have been running. Sometimes I have been running toward a goal. Sometimes I have been running to catch up to what I thought I needed to be doing. I have been running in all different directions for all different reasons instead of running to God. When I find myself panting for water then I am running without proper hydration.


Jesus says that He is the living water. Fully able to replenish a dry soul. Fully able to offer the hydration that we need to survive. Fully able to give us all we need to move in any direction that He directs us. As we learn to run to Him and stay there, He offers all we need to accomplish each day's task. I need to learn to live out of that place of rest and replenishment instead of running around until I am panting and parched. It is a change of perspective.


As usual, there was a word of direction in every part of my morning devotion as I listened to His voice. I read this in my Jesus Calling: "Instead of dashing head-long toward your goal, let Me set the pace. Slow down, and enjoy the journey in My Presence."


So today I am going to slow down. I am going to run to the Living Water and drink. I think that I will rest there a while and wait to see what His pace is for today. For this week. For this year. Want to join me?

As the deer pants for streams of water, 

so my soul pants for You, O God. 

My soul thirsts, for God, for the living God. 

Psalm 42:1-2