He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. Psalm 23:2–3 (NIV)
I flew across the country, from San Francisco to Chicago and from Chicago to White Plains. I woke up at my friend Camilla’s house in Connecticut after sleeping for twelve hours. Twelve hours. I think the last time I slept for twelve hours was when I was an infant.
Isn’t it funny that in Psalms it says, “He MAKES me lie down in green pastures”? Shouldn’t I just do that on my own? Apparently I don’t. Sometimes Jesus has to MAKE me lie down. I am so wound up with work deadlines, the boys’ school schedule, the kids’ program at church, and life in general that I have forgotten how to rest. I want Jesus to restore my soul. I just don’t want to lie down in green pastures or follow Him beside the quiet waters. But, apparently, those are nonnegotiables.
So today, I am recognizing I am tired. Really, super, crazy tired. And really, what I am missing out on when I don’t take a nap is restoring my soul. And that’s not good.
Maybe you are right there with me, exhausted and bone weary. I have a thought that maybe, just maybe, we should let Jesus make us lie down. It could be a start to a new way of living. So let’s take a deep breath . . . and then bring on the nap. —
Faith Step: Say, “Jesus, thank You so much for knowing me better than I know myself. Please make me lie down. I am ready for those green pastures and still waters. Show me how to rest in You.”
