“My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest — I would flee far away and stay in the desert” ” Psalm 55:4-7 (NIV)
Have you ever tried to keep several balls in the air at the same time? Multitasking – post-moderns call it. Back in the dark ages, we called it juggling our responsibilities. I guess that took too long to say.
If you have attempted multitasking there comes a point when you can identify with the Psalmist. Anguish fills the heart because one of those tasks is about to get out of synch or already has; then fear and trembling sets in because the horror of failing or dropping the proverbial ball is overwhelming.
And the soul cries out, “How I wish I had wings to fly away, to get away from it all. Maybe I could run away and hide. Anywhere, I just need a break.” In the desert, on the beach, or in the mountains we don’t really care, just to get a way from it all and rest from the stress and strain.
Yet, we instinctively know that the answer does not lie in whining and running away. So just like the Psalmist, we take our issues to the Lord in prayer: “But I call to God, and the LORD saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.” Psalm 16-18 (NIV) God is waiting to hear my voice and yours. He is ready to answer our questions and solve our problems. He is our rest and refuge – our private retreat. So, we bow in gratitude that right where we are, right now becomes an intimate escape with the Lord.
Dear Father, thank you for rest and relaxation from all our responsibilities. Empower us with the grace to persevere and the faith to trust. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today in your private retreat with God,