Repentance. Rest. Quietness. Trust.

For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said,

"In repentance and rest you will be saved,

In quietness and trust is your strength."

Isaiah 30:15

Repentance.

Rest.

Quietness.

Trust.

That sounds so peaceful and healing. As vital as oxygen. Wonderfully counter-cultural. I long for these.

But how? Most of us do not need to be convinced that we need more repentance, rest, quietness, and trust in our lives. But how do we receive and nurture these gifts? How can I learn, understand, and practice the spiritual disciplines that grow my relationship with God on all these levels?

    The word discipleship and the word disciple are the same word--that has always

fascinated me. Once you have made the choice to say, "Yes, I want to follow Jesus," the

question is, "What disciplines will help me remain faithful to that choice?" If we want to be

disciples of Jesus, we have to live a disciplined life. 

    By discipline, I do not mean control. If I know the discipline of psychology or of

economics, I have a certain control over a body of knowledge. If I discipline my children, I

want to have a little control over them. 

    But in the spiritual life, the word discipline means "the effort to create some space in

which God can act." Discipline means to prevent everything in your life from being filled up.

Discipline means that somewhere you're not occupied, and certainly not preoccupied. In the

spiritual life; discipline means to create that space in which something can happen that you

hadn't planned or counted on.

---“Moving from Solitude to Community to Ministry” by Henri Nouwen

Space.

Time.

Encouragement. 

Direction.

Tools.

Soul friends.

Accountability.

Invitation.

Freedom.

Truth + Grace + Time

The Word of God.

The Spirit of God.

The Body of Christ. 

These are the elements that nurture repentance, rest, quietness, and trust in my life. They open up my life for Jesus. For most of us, they don’t just magically happen. They require some intentionality. This is what we offer through Psalm One Ministries. 

As 2020 roars to life, before our schedules crowd Jesus out, let’s create some space in which God can act.

Grace and peace,

Linda

I Can't Do It All

I can’t do it all.

And that’s okay. Actually, that’s more than okay. It’s freedom!

I have places to go, people to see, things to do. Places I’ve always wanted to explore, both in my hometown and around the globe. People who are dear to me with whom I would love to have a good catch-up over a leisurely lunch. Things I need to accomplish and things I want to enjoy. I have a “to do” list that tends to grow instead of shrink. I have endless interests: books I want to read, art I want to attempt, skills I want to learn, ideas I want to research, and a whole world to investigate.

I can’t do it all.

So many changes around us. So many people taking sides. There’s a freedom in not needing to have all the answers. Am I wimping out by saying, “I don’t know”? Maybe. Do I need to research, investigate, and give my brilliant opinion on every complex issue? Possibly. Am I choosing honesty and humility as I concede: there is one Messiah and it is not me? I hope so. Sometimes there is wonderful freedom in deciding I don’t have a horse in this race.

I can’t do it all.

There are seasons in our lives that are EGR: Extra Grace Required. Health issues, job changes, financial stress, life transitions, parenting down with small children or teenagers or grown children, parenting up with aging or ailing parents. Times we may need to say a discerning no far more often than we’d like, so we can say yes to the truly important demands of life. There are even times when success may be distilled down to just making it through the day. God Almighty is omnipotent. I am not. I have God-given limits to protect me (sometimes from myself) as I rely on Him.

I can’t do it all.

The most wonderful thing about the holidays is having time with family and friends. Occasionally, the most challenging thing about the holidays is having time with family and friends. So many fun activities and special things to enjoy. Sometimes a bit of stress in trying to be everywhere and be everything to everybody.

I can’t do it all.

That’s not a declaration of defeat. That’s embracing the freedom to say a carefully discerning no so I can say a truly enthusiastic yes! When I release my feeble attempts at trying to do it all, I am freed to thoroughly enjoy wherever I invest my time and energy.

I believe I need to make decisions in light of eternity and choose to be obedient second by second. That frees me from the regret and angst of the “if only” of the past. That frees me from the anxiety and fear of the “what if” of the future.

O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;

Nor do I involve myself in great matters,

Or in things too difficult for me.

Surely I have composed and quieted my soul;

Like a weaned child rests against his mother,

My soul is like a weaned child within me.

O Israel, hope in the LORD

From this time forth and forever.

Psalm 131

May we be released from the pressure of trying to be everything to everyone all the time. And may we find tremendous freedom, grace, and joy resting in the One True Messiah. 

Merry Christmas to you and yours as you welcome and celebrate Jesus!

Much love,

Linda

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