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In the Midst of the Valley

Picture courtesy of PD Photo

In the Midst of the Valley is about being in the midst of so much stuff it's hard to see the sky. Ever feel like that? What we don't realize, sometimes, is that there are incredible treasures to be found in the valley! This blog was started because I beleive that the greatest potential for spiritual growth is in the valley - not on the mountain top. These are lessons God has taught me as I go through the valley season of my life. May He use them to minister to you. Mike

Friday, May 27, 2005

Rest and Peace

I'm walking through Psalms 23 - verse by verse. This morning I focused on the second verse

2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams. (NLT)

I began thinking about resting in green meadows and walking beside peaceful streams. I really want to experience that rest and peace. I mean, I do - at times. I have my moments of rest and peace, but I want them all the time.

Then I began to think, "Is this a reasonable expectation of the valley experience?" To be perfectly honest, I don't know. Maybe I should just enjoy the moments of peace and rest that I do experience. Maybe I should learn to appreciate these moments.

Then I re-read the verse. It says that the Shepherd "lets me rest in green meadows" and "leads me beside peaceful streams." Maybe the key to rest and peace lies within me. Hmmm? Think about this for a moment - he lets me rest. It may be that resting is my part. He provides the green pastures and it's my part to rest in them. Likewise, the Shepherd may be waiting on me to follow him beside the peaceful streams.

It's like Christ is saying, "I'm giving you all you need to experience the rest and peace you desire, but it's up to you to rest and to follow."

My struggle is that while I know what it looks and feels like to follow the Shepherd, I'm not sure I know what it looks or feels like to rest. I'm asking the Father to show me what that looks and feels like so I will know it when I experience it. What about you? Are you "resting? Are you following and experiencing the peace he offers.

Unlike myself, you may have known that peace and rest. Let me know what it looks and feels like to you. I would be interested in knowing.

One thing I'm learning about the valley experience is that sometimes there are more questions than answers. I think that's a good thing, especially if we are honest with God and let him know that we, indeed have these questions and we honestly seek answers. That, I believe, should be a pre-requisite for the valley experience.

Learning to rest and follow,
Mike

posted by MikeS @ 5:50 AM

1 Comments:

At 5/31/2005 9:46 AM, Blogger MikeS said...

jb - thanks for the input.

jb brings up a great point. Is peace and rest available in the valley or do we have to wait until God leads us out of the valley?

Remember...it is in the valley where sheep find lush pastures for feeding and rest.

I know God is doing amazing things in jb''s and Ryan's lives and ministry

Sorry if I'm a little biased - I love these guys a lot!

Thanks for the support and encouragement, I continue to cherish you ministry and friendship

mike

 

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