During a particularly wet summer in New Mexico, there were plants that popped up in the
desert that had not been seen in over 100 years. Why is it that we often fail to see the beauty
all around us? (Her Treasures)
Some of the women who have responded to this question have answered with things like…
"We are just too busy, we are overwhelmed just coping with the daily challenges of life, and
our minds are cluttered with worry over just about anything.” Maybe we have become so
myopic and self-focused that we miss out on the beauty all around us. Sometimes it seems that our hearts have just shut down, and we find ourselves in survival mode trying to spin those plates that life throws at us. It’s a sad and exhausting state of affairs, isn’t it? Don’t feel alone; it's an epidemic. Sharon Jaynes in her book, “Becoming Spiritually Beautiful” describes this so well.
“It’s not easy being a girl.
We are expected to be Martha Stewart in the kitchen,
Mother Teresa in the community,
Angelina Jolie in the gym,
Oprah Winfrey in the boardroom,
And Catherine Zeta-Jones in the bedroom---
All the while looking fit, fresh and firm forever”
I am reminded of another summer, the summer of 2008. I had gone to Lake Tahoe to receive treatment for a chronic pain condition. For 3 months, I was all alone in a beautiful place staying in a cute, little cabin that had an amazing view of a meadow filled with wildflowers and a stream that meandered through the property. It was there where I was for once freed of all my obligations and finally able to clear my head of all the clutter. I can hear the gears in your heads spinning thinking that if only you could drop everything and go to a place like that, right now. There’s nothing wrong with that; we all need a sabbatical every now and then, don’t we? Most of us who live with Type A behavior find it really hard to “just so no” and get ourselves overly committed to worthy causes, but at some point, if we do not take time to rest, we might just “crash and burn.” This was my situation. I was burned out and needed to find an “oasis.” You might ask, “Just what do you mean by an oasis?” So, I asked my wise daughter to tell me what the first thing was that came into her mind when I said the word, oasis. She said, “You can’t have an oasis unless you find water.” Not only was she right, but as you will see, it was profound as well. Wikipedia defines an oasis as a fertile spot in a desert where water is found. Supposedly, a person can only survive from 3 to 5 days, tops, without water. So, when a thirsty soul searches for an oasis, it is truly a life or death situation.
This scripture will really bless you…It’s from Isaiah 58:11,
“and the Lord will continually guide you and satisfy your desire in scorched places and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden and like a spring of water where waters do not fail.”
Beautiful, right? Read that again and let it soak down into your soul.
News Flash! You don’t have to go to Tahoe or anywhere else to find an oasis. An oasis is just a thought away, just a prayer away. Just talk to him, and when you pray, just be real.
The Message translation of the bible asks this question in Matthew 11:28-30…
“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.”
Here’s an exercise for you…In your mind, pull up 2 beach chairs right up to the edge of some heavenly lake and invite Jesus to sit with you a little while. BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD. Let his peace radiate through your troubled soul. He already knows your hurts, and he knows just what you need. HE WILL GIVE YOU LIVING WATER. You can grab your bible and an iced tea, of course. Put on some soothing or uplifting music, or just enjoy the quiet and listen for his gentle voice to sing over you. (Zep. 3:17) He might sing something like this…
My Beloved,
“I was waiting for you. I was thinking of you today, because you are so special to me.
What’s on your mind? What do you need from me today?
I am never angry with you; I cherish you with a scandalous love.
I want you to feel whole, healthy, complete---not lacking anything.
Let me carry your burdens and fill your empty cup.
Rest in me. You are not in this alone.”
(Excerpts from “A Date with Abba,” from Her Treasures)
Scripture says that as a believer you have been reconciled with God “in order to present you before Him, holy and blameless and beyond reproach.” (Col. 1:22) He abides (lives) in you (John 15) which is the “mystery of all the ages, Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col.1:27) “Therefore, we can draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need.” (Heb. 4:16) He is your “El Roi,” the God who sees you. (Gen. 16) He is your “Jehovah-Jireh,” the God who provides for you. (Gen. 22) And he is your “Jehovah-Shalom,” the Lord is your peace. (Jud. 6) Don’t miss the beauty in this Jesus is our peace.
JESUS IS OUR OASIS.
SHALOM, SHALOM.
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