following the path to his heart part 1: rest
And (Martha) had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”
And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:39-42
Finding God’s heart is my greatest desire. Every day I press into it. Sometimes I get a little tidbit—a fresh revelation from the Bible, a dream, a picture, something from nature—and it keeps me running after Him.
Once in a while, like Martha, I get caught up in worry and anxiety. I get out my personal measuring cups, my T-square, my level, and my scale.
Not long ago I began feeling like I should be farther along than this. I should be feeling His emotions, praying from His heart, partnering with Him, being productive, making myself useful to Him—actually experiencing His heart, not just gleaning little crumbs of it.
I was a little frustrated and talked to a few people about it. I didn’t realize Jesus was listening–and actually, He was the one who had something to say to me.
In the quiet of the woods, He reminded me that I came from His heart, the place where He created me and breathed my spirit into existence. I was born into His heart before I ever existed on earth. It was my very first home.
Jesus died so we could return to the Father’s heart. It is warm and tender and beating with love for us. His heart is not far away–we carry its very DNA in our spirit.
Striving is not the way to His heart. Like Mary, we must simply draw near in the place of trust, rest, and listening.
Psalm 131 gives us a message from David, the man after God’s own heart:
Lord, my heart is meek before you.
I don’t consider myself better than others.
I’m content to not pursue matters that are over my head—
such as your complex mysteries and wonders—
that I’m not yet ready to understand.
I am humbled and quieted in your presence.
Like a contented child who rests on its mother’s lap,
I’m your resting child and my soul is content in you.
O people of God, your time has come to quietly trust,
waiting upon the Lord now and forever. Psalm 131:1-3 TPT
There is a connection between meekness and rest. To be meek is to quiet my soul, to not consider myself better than others, or strive to grasp things that are beyond me. Without meekness, I’m trying to make my own way, instead of following Him.
We might impatiently try to grasp things that make us feel satisfied and give us a sense of accomplishment. We want to measure up, grow up, and get to where He has called us.
Yet, He loves the process! He enjoys us before we ever reach the place He called us to. He is the God of the Treasure Hunt, and He seems to like leaving clues for us. He is the Bread of Life, and He is dropping a trail of breadcrumbs for those who are hungry.
