How is it with your soul?
Joyful
Overwhelmed
Agitated
Free
Heavy
Anxious
Hungry
Longing
Numb
Wounded
Open
Discouraged
Hopeful
Unsettled
Burdened
Fragile
Peaceful
Neglected
Distracted
Rested
OR: “Say what? How on earth would I know? I don’t have a clue about the state of my soul. Can't you see I'm busy?”
A lot of hurting souls out there for many reasons. People are hitting the wall left, right, and center. Many are still dealing with the aftereffects of the last several years. Many who have never struggled much with anxiety or depression are feeling burdened by both. Some feel like they are stuck in a desert. Some are just weary. Several people this week told me they are “tapped out”. Life is crazy. We keep thinking things will slow down next month, but they just keep speeding up.
Other people are growing and flourishing and hungry for more. For solid feeding, genuine connection, authentic community, life-giving friendships, good input, spiritual nurturing. For a closer, deeper, more intimate walk with Jesus. They are not satisfied with “good enough Christianity”. They want a vibrant relationship with the living God.
Richard Foster loves to teach on “Jesus’ Grand Invitation of Grace”. I treasure so many memories of him standing in front of the congregation with his arms open wide and smiling as only Richard can smile, extending a gentle invitation to take a deep breath, relax your shoulders, and lean into our Lord’s guidance, care, and renewal.
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
“Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while." (Mark 6:31)
Come home, come home, you who are weary come home.
I treasure God’s prescription for the healing of our soul in Isaiah 30:15…
"In repentance and rest you will be saved,
In quietness and trust is your strength."
Sigh. Wow, what a release and blessing. Sounds like exactly what I need.
But the next line haunts me: “but you were not willing”. Thud.
Why wouldn't we be willing?
Because I'm busy. Because I have more important things to do. Because it seems like a waste of my valuable time. Because it takes focus and energy to feed my soul. Because I don't think it makes any difference. Because I don't know what to do. Because I have no idea how to experience repentance, rest, quietness, and trust. Did I mention that I'm busy?
Yet my incredibly patient God still stands with His arms open wide in a grand invitation of grace.
“Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you,
And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.
For the LORD is a God of justice;
How blessed are all those who long for Him.”
(Isaiah 30:18)
He waits for me to realign my priorities.
"Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters;
And you who have no money come, buy and eat.
Come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without cost.
Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And delight yourself in abundance.”
(Isaiah 55:1-2)
When I’m hungry enough, I come. When I move an inch toward Him, He meets me where I am, leads me to the Rock that is higher than I, and begins to clear the fog.
“O people in Zion, inhabitant in Jerusalem, you will weep no longer. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you. Although the Lord has given you bread of privation and water of oppression, He, your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher. Your ears will hear a word behind you, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right or to the left.”
(Isaiah 30:19-21)
Come home, come home, you who are weary come home. Tend your soul. Accept the gentle invitation. Keep your soul alive toward God.
“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
Grace and peace,
Linda
Psalm One opportunities to feed your soul:
How I love the Refocus and Refuel Retreat. A semi-silent getaway for Men and Women. September 22-24 or November 17-19 in Cincinnati. (Spoiler alert for the Aussies and Kiwis: Lord willing, Down Under in 2024.) Your own room plus acres of beautiful creation to roam. Time, space, silence, teaching, spiritual direction, and rest as we respond to Jesus 's grand invitation of grace. Spending time at Jesus’ feet individually and together. Don't be intimidated if you've never done anything like this before. You will have materials, direction, and the encouragement of others who are seeking God with you. My prayer is always, “Lord meet us where we are and take us where we need to be.” For more information and to register: https://www.psalmone.org/refocus-and-refuel
“I remember on my first Refocus and Refuel Retreat when we went into silence, I was surprised at how noisy it still seemed to be…It was my racing mind. I didn’t realize how much I desperately needed this time to just lay down everything else, all the interruptions of day-to-day life, and just draw near to God and truly put Him first. No matter what state I’m in when I arrive at these retreats, whether mountain top or desert moments, God meets me there as I quiet my mind and have extended uninterrupted time with my Lord. When I let go of all expectations and just abide in HIM he always shows up and sometimes in the least expected ways. It’s a wonderful time to REST in HIM….and sometimes that actually includes a good nap. These retreats are the perfect balance of good Bible-based teaching, extended quiet time with God, and laughter over meals. The Refocus and Refuel Retreats are priceless!”
Every Tuesday at 7:30pm ET: The Psalm One Bible Study. For Men and Women. We gather with friends from anywhere for Bible study, and the locals meet for dinner and fellowship. We are currently in Matthew, and you are always welcome to drop in. To stay in the loop to receive links and resources: https://www.psalmone.org/tuesday-night-bible-study
Thursday night “Sisterhood of the Fishbowl” just for Pastors’ Wives. This group has been a joyful lifeline for so many. An oasis in the week where we can gather with friends, share our roller coaster lives, laugh quite a bit, and receive a spiritual boost. Thursdays, 7:30pm Eastern Standard Time. To stay in the loop for these online gatherings, resources, and encouragement, sign up at the top of this page: https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives
Soul Care Retreats just for Pastors’ Wives: There’s no such thing as a “typical pastor’s wife”. You may be a pastor, accountant, stay-at-home mom, worship leader, butcher, baker, or candlestick maker. But you are invited to a fun and encouraging community of friends with others who understand life on the front lines of ministry. Mark your calendars now to join us our next getaway.
Cincinnati, Ohio: February 9-11, 2024
Green Lake, Wisconsin: April 19-21, 2024
For more information and to register: Scroll down on https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives