As I continue to pursue a close, intimate relationship with Jesus, I enjoy the beautiful visual pictures that he will often share with me as he is helping me to understand his heart. I want to share with you a couple of those pictures that has really lingered in my mind. The first picture that he gave me was in the context of a season of busyness, where I felt that I was simply running from one stop to another, much like the subway train. Last fall, I had the opportunity to experience the New York City subways first hand for the first time. All of the people moving on and off at various stops with speed and synchronization. This is what it felt like in the spirit, when I was aware of moving in this steady flow of speed and then suddenly I stepped out of that flow into a beautiful green field with Jesus before me reclining on an elbow on what looked like a picnic blanket. As I stepped out and was getting acclimated, he was raising a glass of wine in his left hand in my direction and I heard him say “Come rest with me.” Even now as I share this, the tenderness of his invitation stirs emotion in my chest. There was such a drastic difference between the flow of speed that I just stepped out of and the calm, serene scene that I found myself engaging. I knew in my spirit that the fast pace wasn’t bad, but there was a strong desire in my soul to find rest in his peaceful presence. My soul needed that opportunity to find refuge in this moment. It was like hitting a “pause” button and trusting him with all of those things. I sat with him and allowed the refreshing to soak into those thirsty places within me. This is an important key to living life from the Kingdom rather than simply living life for the Kingdom. There will always be work to be done, but we need to accomplish those things from our position of being the Beloved, resting in who we are in our unity with Jesus. The other beautiful picture Jesus shared with me comes from the passage in Matthew 11:28-30:
Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine or bend your neck to my yoke. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear. (TPT)
I was sitting in a session with a woman and we were unpacking that idea of being yoked with Jesus. She said that she had been taught that verse for years but never really understood what that actually meant. Immediately in my spirit, Jesus showed me the picture of he and this woman walking side by side on a path and he gently had his arm draped over her shoulder in a very casual and friendly way. I saw in that moment a closeness and a covering that yielded both wise direction and the loving protection of a friend. If you find yourself being weighed down with the cares of this world and you need to step into an oasis under the covering yoke of His love, allow your spirit to take you into these places Jesus has shared with me. They are open invitations to you as well!
Steps in Pursuit
- One of the ways to practice spiritual discernment is to use passages of scripture as a door. Find scripture that comforts you and invite Jesus to meet you in that place.
- Be intentional this week as you come and go, to see yourself walking side by side with Jesus, allowing your heart to hear his direction, and your soul to feel the comfort of his covering.
- During your moments of resting with Jesus, take time to journal what you experience and revisit these times of refreshing.
As we enjoy the yoke of His friendship, we will find ourselves refreshed and enjoying the journey along the way!
Continue the Pursuit,
Denise
