We all face difficult and troubling situations during our lifetime—no one is exempt from trials. The Bible instructs us to trust God and rest in Him. But how? There are many Bible verses that tell us of the benefits of resting and trusting in the Lord, but doing it isn’t easy! What does the “rest of God” look like, and how to we get there? This is what the Lord said to me about resting in Him.
Do you ever feel like the men on the road to Emmaus right after Jesus rose from the grave? As they walked along, Jesus walked with them. However, for much of their journey, they weren’t even aware that it was Him. They didn’t recognize Jesus’ presence! (see Luke 24: 13-35)
The scriptures are clear that Jesus is with us always, ready to speak into our lives and help with our every need. However, sometimes I don’t recognize His presence. When I am oblivious to His nearness I have missed His input into my life. I believe this is a common experience. Here is what Jesus told me about discerning His presence (His words are in blue):
In my youth, we had to try out to play on a Little League baseball team, and if you were not chosen you played in the minors. At my tryout I played well enough to make a major league team, quite a feat for a small, 8 year old kid!
I was a good player, but when they selected the all-star team I was not chosen — I was crushed. I felt that I had failed as a ball player! What a hard lesson to learn as a child; my self-worth had to come from something other than success as all-star. I have had to learn this same lesson about self-worth repeatedly over the years. Feelings of inferiority and inadequacy are all too common. Fortunately, the Lord’s perspective has helped me see my true worth (His words are in blue).
As long as I have known the Lord, my desire has been to be like Him, to truly be His disciple. It was so exciting to attend John Wimber’s healing conferences years ago and learn that Jesus’ ministry, including praying for the sick, was for all of Jesus’ followers, including me. Wimber taught that the men Jesus chose to be with Him were examples for all of Jesus’ followers today.
How did three years with Jesus change these ordinary men so dramatically that they went from cowering in fear to boldly sharing the truth of the kingdom of God with power and love everywhere they went? They were completely dedicated, amazingly courageous, powerfully anointed and overflowing with love. They exhibited everything that I desire to be, but I don’t feel I’ve arrived.
When I asked him how to become as devoted, courageous, anointed, and loving as the early disciples, here is His response: (His words to me are in blue)