Sometimes, the world can make you feel small.

It can be a crowded place, so many voices.

Loud. Insistent that you have something to show.

For who you are.

And what you have to offer.

What you hold in your heart — faith, hope, and love — can feel inadequate.

As you see what others are offering, you may be tempted to put your hopes and dreams back in your pocket.  And close the door of your heart to the possibility of who you really are — when you are wrapped in the safety of faith, hope and love.

Don’t listen to those voices.

Step closer to One Voice who knows you.

The Secret Place

Listen to the One has seen you the very moment you were born.

When you broke into this world, helpless, eyes shut, fingers balled up in trembling fists, lungs blaring with hungry cries, He saw you.

And loved you.  Completely.

You were exactly the way He dreamed of you in His heart when He made you lovingly in the secret place.

And you are still that same Beloved — when He looks through what everyone sees — and sees straight into the secret places in you.

When He looks past all that has made your faith weak and weary.

It’s how Jesus might have felt looking into faces of people He had met for the first time, after finding His disciples.  He was taking a walk on a trail that led to the mountains, where He loved to often spend alone himself.

It was there He told them what He had been waiting all His life to say to them face to face.

A Soul Conversation

Step into this moment now to be with Jesus.

Imagine sitting close to Him, as the sun warms your skin and clouds are moving in clear blue sky around you.

Feel the breeze quietly brush past your ear as it often does on the mountain in open spaces.

Come. Draw near.

Listen as Jesus whispers these same words to you.  Right now. Tenderly.

Look into his eyes because He wants you to see — how much He wants you to believe what He’s about to say.

Confide in this moment He’s longing to bring you into. Tell Him what you’ve longed to say.

Hear His voice speaking to you — with kindness — in the soulful whitespace in Matthew 5:13-16 alongside Luke 8:16-17:

“You are the salt of the earth;
but if the salt has become tasteless,
how can it be made salty again?

It is no longer good for anything,
except to be thrown out
and trampled under foot by men.

“You are the light of the world.
A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;

“Now no one after lighting a lamp
covers it over with a container,
or puts it under a bed ;

but he puts it on a lampstand,
and it gives light to all
who are in the house.

“For nothing is hidden that will not become evident,
nor anything secret that will not be known
and come to light.

It is hard to face the fact that faith can also fade, if it is not nourished.

God’s light with can grow dim, if we don’t care for it.

In that secret place, even when the flame within us feels like a flicker, Jesus is there.

Take a moment to think back to all you’ve journeyed through the past few weeks.

Notice — what are things that are helping you to hold onto faith, hope and love?

{close your eyes}

{see it all}

{hear it all again}

{confide}

{still}

{rest}

{lay them down}

Pause as you look back….

….Now, look back again.

Notice — is there anything moving you away from faith, hope and love? What are they?

What You Would Say

What would you say if Jesus were right here — with you?

Close your eyes.  Breathe.  Let Him be present with you.

Stop and give Him the space right now to respond to you.

What I Would Say

I want to be salt.  I want to be light.

Give me courage to keep moving towards you out in the world — and anything that helps me to do that.

I don’t want to hide anymore.

Give me even greater courage to stand up and out — and move away from anything that keeps me hidden.

Restore all parts of me to be all yours.

What He Would Say

I’ve made you from the very beginning — in the secret place.

Your personality full of all the subtle and bold flavors. Unique.

I’ve put a light in you, meant to be seen.

Don’t hide.

Hold on to me.

I’m holding onto you.

Step out.  Just like the wild flowers, dotting the mountainside, take your place out in this world.

Lighting up the world quietly with beauty — with beauty that I see.

So that others will know you belong to me.

~~~~~

As your heart feels prompted, share this quiet space with us.

Pull up a chair. Click to comment.

You are among friends. In this quiet space.

~~~~~

Slow Down. Journal on Soul Rest Sunday.

Do you enjoy savoring quiet time with God and journaling your reflections on a Scripture verse, song, or prayer?

Share it with us.  Link-up Sunday or Monday. Click on the blue button “Add Your Link” and submit the url of your post (not just the name of your blog).

This isn’t just another blog post.  Let’s experience something real and sacred together.

Come. See. Listen. Confide.

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Be a part of {Soul Rest} community.
Slow and savor time with God.
Refresh your soul for the new week.

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