Restoration for the Soul

"Bamboo" - oil on canvas

In need of some deep physical, emotional and spiritual restoration, I am headed to Catalina Island for a few days of personal retreat this weekend. I am looking forward to having space to just be. To be still, to have silence and solitude, to enjoy nature, to do things that are life-giving. I desperately long to become a person who abides in God and experiences his peace and provision and freedom and grace. I am so far from being that person, but I hope that taking this retreat will help propel me in that direction.

Green Pastures and Still Waters

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters."

I was thinking about this recently, and began wondering why I have such a difficult time slowing down. I always have this need to go 80 miles per hour all the time, and then end up either feeling burned out or bitter at the world. Just yesterday, a friend asked how I was doing. And my first response was to let out an exhausted sigh, and begin listing off the twenty things that were wearing on me that day. But the Bible says that God the shepherd provides for all my needs, including peace and rest. The question is will I accept and receive the things that God offers me? Will I lay aside my preoccupation with my To Do list, and let go of my tendency to find worth in my productivity? Will I be satisfied in being a sheep in need of a shepherd?