Time to Refresh
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie
down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through
the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and our
staff, they comfort me.”1
We live in a high paced society, and many times, the
busyness becomes the “norm” and we conform to it. However, this busyness can
also raise our stress levels, which if not managed properly, can lead to other
health problems. It takes an intentional effort to step back and take a “time
out” when we feel the pressures of life weighing down on us.
Personally, I love being out in nature. I love hiking
through the mountains, watching waterfalls, wading in crystal clear lakes…
there is such a sense of tranquility in those moments! But the reason I love
being outdoors so much is because it is a vivid reminder of my Creator. All the
beautiful sceneries we enjoy were made by our Almighty God, and I truly believe
He wants to use them to bring us to a place of rest with Him.
While it is not always possible to pack up and go to mountains,
we can find peace and quiet as we spend time with God. While reading today’s
scripture, we can close our eyes and imagine lying down in the green pastures
and sitting by quiet waters. God is inviting us to step away from the noise, leave
the distractions aside, and enjoy some one-on-one time with Him.
In this season of Lent, l encourage you to ask our Good Shepherd
to lead you to those quiet places where he can refresh your soul. Even in the
darkest times in our lives, God is there and will lead us to still waters where
we can rest in the arms of our Heavenly Father.
Suggested prayer: Lord, in the midst of the hustle and
bustle of life, help my focus stay on You. Throughout the day, let me hear your
voice leading me in the way of green pastures and quiet waters. Refresh my soul
today, I pray. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
1. Psalm
23:1-4 (NIV).
Today’s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.
All articles on this website are written by
Richard (Dick) Innes unless otherwise stated.