The Movement of Rest

Confession: recently, my mind has been dwelling on certain things I can never change, have no influence over, and probably are none of my business!  It's easy to get frustrated, especially when we care a lot for people and see them going a different way than we wish... but worrying won't change a thing. After sharing my heart with good friends and praying together, I've had to take a step back and reserve my attention for the things that I really am responsible for. This is where today's picture comes into play..

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him..." Psalm 37:7a

The Hebrew word "rest" in this verse means: "to be dumb, to stop, quiet self, rest, be silent, tarry."

This verse provides a powerful to key to overcoming worry or frustration around situations that are bigger than our reach.  This specific directive couldn't be clearer: STOP TALKING- and that includes the chatter of the inner mind. Still your soul, Rebecca. Pause. Embrace silence. Entrust the things you care about to God.

"Wait patiently" is a single Hebrew word with a radical meaning: "to twist or whirl in a circular or spiral manner, specifically to dance..." This word is translated into various words in English. For instance, is could mean "dance," or it could mean to birth, like Psalm 29:9 which says that God's voice makes the "hinds to calve," and "calve" is this dancing Hebrew word. Other times it's interpreted as "fear," or even "formed." I'm not a scholar, but this Hebrew word seems to denote a verb of passion, motion, and even creativity.

In our waiting, dancing before the Lord, and trusting Him, God is able to bring forth the things we cannot.  It's amazing to see how He reveals His work when we let go... (let's face it, sometimes we're clinging too tightly to see His hands at work.)  From this place of wonder, movement, and rest, He aligns His perfect will and invites us along for the ride. ​

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust You with things that I cannot change. Resting, dancing, and waiting as You align and unfold Your perfect will.