DAY 21 - SIT WITH ME
Lacey Henry, YA Intern
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
In times like these, I find it hard to focus. It’s harder to get up, get out of bed or get off the couch, and do something, when, for most of us in this season, we really don’t “have” to do anything. When our lives are more structured, it is easier to be more structured. It’s the same as when our lives are more peaceful and joyful, it is easier to have peace and joy. When hard times strike it’s harder to have a positive outlook on life. Instead, questions that we have about our situations surface.
Why is all of this happening?
Why are people dying?
How is God going to use this for His good?
Questions like these surface not just in a pandemic, but when our lives, or the lives of the people around us, don’t go as we thought they would. The pain and hurt of these situations can bring confusion and questions. When we begin to wrestle and struggle with the pain of the unknown, we have to stand on what we KNOW to be true about God. That He is GOOD, that He is working ALL for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28), and that when He says something, we can fully trust that we can stand on His word.
After that, we just have to SIT WITH HIM. By doing this we won’t get all the answers, and we won’t suddenly know every detail of His plan. But as He promises in Matthew 11:28, when we come to Him, weary and burdened, He WILL give us rest. Not only that, but every time we just sit with Him we will be reminded again of the promises He has for us and it will strengthen us, and it will strengthen our faith.
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17
Luke 10:38-42 is a perfect example of this, “As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.’ But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.’”
Jesus wasn’t telling Martha that serving and preparing the meal was bad (there is a time for that), but He was pointing out that the most important thing is to just SIT WITH HIM, to be still, and just talk with Him. But also so He can hear our heart, and what we need to say. Mary wanted to sit with Him so she would know Him, learn from Him, and just be with Him. Today, we have this opportunity through God’s word (The Bible).
So I challenge you, young adults, in this time of quarantine, in this time where it is hard to stay motivated, and in this time where hurt and uncertainty are all around us, bring yourself back to the feet of Jesus, and just SIT WITH HIM and spend time in His word. I promise you, He will meet you there.
“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:6