The invitation came several years ago. I was still a full-time caregiver to my dad. Since he was napping, I slipped outside to my lawn chair to read.
That’s when God invited me. While I didn’t hear Him speaking in my ear, I distinctly recognized His voice in my heart.
“Let Me take care of you.”
“OK Lord, I need to read my bible more. I need to pray more. I need to….”
“Stop! Just let Me take care of you!”
I love that God interrupted my impulsive “I need to do this / I need to do that for You” litany. He was clearly inviting me into a journey of learning to live and rest in His care. And honestly, I’ve been a slow learner!
God’s Care
But I am learning. Here are a few ways that God has shown His very personal care to me, in the years since that invitation.
- I had been addicted to pornography for two decades, when God spoke to me. God’s care has taken me on a journey into freedom. Each day of victory is because of His care.
- God in His care prepared people who have come alongside to love and accept me. People who have not been afraid of my deepest wounds and darkest shame.
- His care is teaching me to love in return.
- His care is training me to accept grace. (This is a HUGE lesson for me!!!)
Now God’s care is uncovering more roots of anger, un-forgiveness, and bitterness that have kept me in bondage to old sinful thought patterns. At times trusting Him to take me through this “mind”-field feels like death. I guess it is death for more of my old, sinful self.
Maybe that’s why God has once again reminded me of His invitation.
“Just let Me take care of you.”
Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11: 28-30 The MSG
Don’t panic. I’m with you.
There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.
I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. Isaiah 41:10 The MSG
Has God ever challenged you to simply relax and allow Him to care for you? What difference has that made for you?
Read Part 1: (A Wrong Choice; A Loving Response; An Unbroken Cord)
(This post is shared on WFMW.)
What a wonderful experience! I have often struggled with doing too many things and running myself ragged and forgetting to trust in God or even ask God for help. I wrote about some of it here:
http://articles.earthlingshandbook.org/2015/02/18/get-up-and-eat-replenishment/
Bible study in the past few years has led me to notice how very often Jesus mentions letting God take care of you, asking for what you need and trusting that it’s okay for you to have it. I see this message in other parts of the Bible as well. Yet it’s still hard for me to remember it!
I have struggled with migraines for years. Asked to rank the pain on a scale of 1 to 10, I had never used a number higher than 9, figuring that it was possible to experience pain worse that I ever had. December 13, 2010, I went to Level 10. It was unbelievably disabling pain that kept me immobile and mostly unable to think. One of my few thoughts was, “I should be praying…” but I could not think of the words of any prayers; every time I tried, the only words that came were, “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.” So I was still, until I asked my family to take me to the emergency room. (PSA for migraine sufferers: The ER can give you IV medication that will reduce a severe migraine like magic. It’s not a drug you should take casually, but when you are really in agony, it can prevent brain damage.)
Becca, reading your comment I was thinking of Ps 46:10. Then, there you were quoting it!
Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
Wow! I would say, “Great minds think alike,” except that would not be very humble. 🙂
But why can’t I just give in and LET him take care of me?? That’s my struggle.
Alyssa – I sure understand what you are saying – that’s my struggle too!
And yet – even though I battle at the “giving in” – still He shows me His faith care! 🙂