Soul Stops is a brief rest on the journey. A quite intake of breath as we pause and a gentle nudge to keep moving forward. It is a waiting in the Truth as we nestle close in His promise…looking at what He has said to our hearts and remembering the promises in His Word.
Since the month of May I have been seeking the Lord on the topic of rest. He has met me close in this pursuit and reassured me that the search was not in vain. I have been quieter here, quieter than I had originally planned…choosing a gentle silence to share the things He has put on my heart about grace each week with the #GraceMoments Link Up as the mode of invitation to the table of grace. And I let go of some of the things that I had planned to do here: to invite you into a study of His Word with me, to encourage and equip you in prayer and fellowship, to spend time building resources to build you up.
All good things, but when God calls us to be still and to wait in Him, our best answer is always an obedient yes, because obedience is the way to the will of the One who set aside the crown of gold for a crown of thorns to meet with us and bring us back to the place we belong in the Father.
“The one who obeys God’s instruction for today will develop a keen awareness of His direction for tomorrow.”- Lysa Terkeurst, The Best Yes
That is what the resting has been teaching me this summer…these warm months of passing time while pressing into more of Him has only amplfied the necessity to make my yes and no both count for grace. And though those moments of waiting were still full and filling, the purpose was to let Him be the one who orchestrates and who leads. No matter where we are, no matter what we do, even our most timid yes to God will be our most bold yes to His goodness.
“Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds rest in thee.” Augustine of Hippo, Confessions
These soul stops were a place for us to journey together in His Word. To take a few moments in our busy days to reflect on promises that He has provided for us to sow in faith, to reflect on, to chew up and to take in as nourishment for our souls. Though there has been a brief pause, here at Journeys In Grace, for this special deposit, the waiting has been a source of encouragement and building for me. I am excited to bring this part of our journey together back.
The Validity of His Word is Eternal.
Today I want to remind you of His faithfulness and the amazing power of His Word. This scripture from one my favorite books in the Old Testament has been on my heart for months, like a beacon that is lighting the path ahead. It has been a consistent echo in all my resting, reminding me that the petitions of my heart…the prayers I have sown in faith…the seeds of hope that have given wings to each step I take, are still vitally working strong on my behalf.
Because sometimes we don’t see the proof of our faith immediately. And sometimes we wonder if our prayers have hit the ceiling and fallen back into our opened and empty hands. Surely, sometimes we have wondered if have been heard at all.
But God…
He has it under control and He is never at rest. He is in constant awareness of where we are and because He is good, is ever ready to meet us and fill us up with more and more of Him while we are waiting for the manifestation of His answers in our lives.
So for those of you still waiting, still resting, still looking and still hoping… remember His Word doesn’t return void. It powerfully and fully accomplishes that to which it has been sent. It is a prospering seed that has a promised harvest. It is our inheritance as we trust and as we pause and as we step forward in faith.
So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth; it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. – Isaiah 55:11
Joining friends for the Journey:
Unite, Cheerleaders of Faith, #TellHisStory, #Coffee For Your Heart, Three Word Wednesday, Thought Provoking Thursdays, Grace and Truth, Faith n’ Friends Blog Hop, Missional Women, Dance with Jesus, Give Me Grace, Glimpses
A Gift for You!
If you enjoy the print above you can download a pdf copy for your wall or your desk today, to remind you of His promises in your waiting.
This is one my favourite verses, and I love the photos too. It’s so encouraging during times of waiting and praying to remember that God has a plan. And so important to take time to rest and listen to him- there are so many demands on us but the most important yes is definitely to him. Visiting from the #RaRaLinkup.
I can identify with your love of this scripture, Carly. Thanks for your encouragement. May you find that rest that fills you up and prepares you well for your journey. I love that you were here for a small part of it.
Blessings,
Dawn
Dawn, these Scripture verses and the pictures are positively stunning, and I am continually in need of Rest Reminders. Bethany McIlrath is also talking about rest today at her place. I feel as if the Spirit may be trying to get my attention . . .?
Thank you, friend. I always like to see your face here. I have missed reading the words of friends this summer, but the resting has been a much needed gift from God. As a book lover you may appreciate 2 books on rest I have read this summer, Spiritual Whitespace by Bonnie Gray and Teaching from Rest by Sarah Machenzie. Good stuff in their words. Praying for you to find that space to rest and to settle close to the heart of the One who wants to fill you with more of Him every day. 🙂 So glad you were here.
Blessings!
Sabbath is so important in our lives. Great post. Blessed to be your neighbor at Tell His Story today.
It absolutely is, Tara, I wish I understood its purpose better long before now. 🙂 Thanks for your visit and encouragement. Blessings!
Your photography is stunning. So glad I visited from Kristin’s today.
Thank you! Grateful you were here!
@ Dawn
This is so good! I’m guilty of over planning lol I tend to plan so much there’s no room for God’s plans in my life.
Regards
Linda
“But God…” One of my favorite phrases and truths from all of Scripture. Thank you for the reminder this morning of the power and trustworthiness of God’s Word. I am praying fervently for His Word to take root in the mind and heart of someone very dear to our family who at this time is not near to us. Claiming the truths you’ve shared here! Stopping by from Faith ‘n’ Friends! 🙂
Beautiful post! I too often get caught up with the doing that I forget the being. Our culture reveres busy to the point that we’ve lost respect for the rest God commands us. And we wonder why we’re all burned out… Thanks for shining a beacon on the value of resting in Him! Blessings!
But God… — Two of my favorite words! Thank you, Dawn, for the beautiful and much needed rest reminder! Stopping by today from Grace and Truth.
Such a gift…knowing that His Word never is returned void and accomplishes His purposes. To rest in Him is resting in His Word, His Truth, His love. Thank you so much.