Remember to stay alert and hold firmly to all that you believe. Be mighty and full of courage. Let love and kindness be the motivation behind all that you do. (1 Corinthians 16:13 Passion Translation)
I can’t say I’ll miss 2017. It is held a lot of disappointments and pain, but has also led to the establishment of order in my life. You know that often quoted verse in Romans that says, “God works all things for good”. I can look back now and see it so clearly. God granted me one of the greatest gifts of my life, in one of my darkest moments of 2017. He introduced me to the blessings of His Rest! I’d resisted it for years and when I finally had no other choice, I experienced him in a way my striving and perfectionism had never allowed me to before.
The thing I have come to realize is there is no freedom without rest. It is contrary to our regular mode of thinking, but then again, Jesus’ ways have always confounded the wise. They say, “Less is more”. When it comes to finding the freedom we all seek, this simple phrase is undeniably true. Less of us, leads to more of Him (John 3:30). More of God, leads to the discovery of our purpose and the courage to fulfilled it!
So, my word is “Courage” this year because I don’t want fear, insecurity, and doubt to win in my life anymore. There is a whole world of possibility out there that many of us never tap into because we are too afraid to pursue it, we’re too insecure to believe it, and we let the voice of doubt scream louder than the promises God has made to us in his Word.
My family and I are about to embark on a whole new journey. I know I’ve been a little M.I.A lately with writing and Shine Healing Ministries activities. BUT, we’ve been taking the time necessary to seek God’s way and vision for what he has put on our hearts. There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes and we’ve hit some road bumps along the way. However, faith tells me to believe in God’s timing. We are excited because 2018 is considered the year of “New Beginnings” and the year of “Family” and we are fully believing in this promise!
The new beginning that God has placed on our heart is to create a retreat center, a space away from the chaos so that others can experience God’s rest, be restored, and filled with the courage to pursue the dreams in their hearts. God confirmed this vision as he unraveled his truth to us through Psalm 23. I hadn’t seen it before. It is such a common Psalm that we have a tendency to glace over it without stopping to truly pause and soak in the beauty within the verses King David wrote. As I meditated on this verse for months, the revelation that all freedom and restoration comes through REST became so clear. David says in verse 2:
“He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss.”
Look at this very next verse…after God leads us to rest!
“That’s where he restores and revives my life.”
And after her restores, just see what he does next…
“He opens before me pathways to God’s pleasure and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness.”
Did you see the progression?
He leads us to REST, then RESTORES, then OPENS his path (our purpose) before us!
When is the last time you truly rested in God – pausing from the busyness of life to soak him in, so that he could restore you, and lead you on the path that he has for your life?
Jesus said:
“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me” (Matthew 11:28-30, Passion Translation).
Rest is his gift to us. Jesus is asking us to give him the burdens we have placed on ourselves, so he can set us free. He longs for us to come and drink of him and promises that if we do, he will be our “oasis” and refresh our dry and weary places. The definition and synonyms of oasis paint a vibrant picture of what Jesus is wanting to be for us when we are weary and weighed down by the burdens of this life. When he says, “I am your oasis,” he is wanting you to see that he is your: watering place, your peace, your retreat, your sanctuary, your shelter, your harbor, your refuge, your relief, your restorer, your pleasant change, your sustenance, your safe place, your haven, your nourishment, your place of growth, your covering, your hideaway, your resting place, your escape, your watering hole, your well, your spring, and your ever-flowing fountain. Join with him, learn his ways, and let him be your oasis.
Our vision is to provide a peace-filled space where woman, families, and ministry leaders can experience God as their oasis! Please be in prayer for us! We have been given a beautiful, peaceful 17 acres of land that completely needs developed and transformed into a retreat center. Our first phase in going to be underway this spring. God has already been hard at work providing a meeting place (covered shelter), a fire pit, and necessary land maintenance free of charge to get us started! There is obviously a lot more work to be done and we will remain within God’s timing and leading, believing fully that he will provide every step of the way.
May you be filled with courage this year to shine your light brighter than ever before!!!!
Be Bold ~ Be a Light!
*Some to the excerpts from today’s post are from the new 40 Day Journey coming out in 2018!