Restore My Soul
As the month of March closed out and April began, I find myself praying this simple prayer, “Lord, restore my soul.”
Most of us are familiar with the 23rd Psalm that paints the beautiful picture of God caring for us as a shepherd cares for his sheep. Listen to these words, “He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:2-3 NASB)
After a full year of changes and challenges, highs and lows, triumphs and disappointments these words are ministering to my heart. In the rhythm of life, there are times when we need restoration. It is normal, it is necessary, and it is okay.
The word in Psalm 23:3 translated restore is a very common word, used over 2000 times throughout the Old Testament. This Hebrew word
In other words, when we look to God to restore our soul, we are depending on Him to bring us back to a good place, to heal us, and to refresh us. The Message version translates verse 3 this way, “True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.” (Psalm 23:3 MSG) Sometimes we get tired. Sometimes we get off track. God knows how to restore us. He puts us back on the right path and sends us the right way.
As I have been asking God to “restore my soul”, He has reminded me that restoration comes through spending time in the “green pastures” and “quiet waters.” That means, God leads us (willingly or sometimes unwillingly) to a time and place of rest and quietness. From creation, God has established the pattern for work and rest, work and rest, work and rest.
This morning, God used the words of Jesus to confirm this is indeed a season I am called to rest. Listen to these powerful words, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG)
As we go through the month of April, I am going to set aside extra time to rest and restore. In order to do that, I am clearing my schedule and taking a break from many of my usual activities. So until May, you won’t hear much from me by way of blogs or social media.
I wonder, what about you? Are you tired or weary? Do you need God to restore your soul? What does it look like for you to find a quiet to place to meet with God and allow Him to refresh and renew you?
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