Tuesday, October 07, 2008

10.07.2008

Hello friends,

It’s been a few weeks since the last Weekly, and a lot of things have been going on between now and then. Or at the very least, it’s seemed to be a lot of things! Between trying not to be so stress and learning humility, trying to keep up with the election-race and making connections with the people I minister to, there’s a lot going on in my head.

But one of the things that came to mind last week that I wanted to share was the first half of John 15. In all of my business I’ve found it hard to rearrange my schedule so that I can rest. Not just sleeping, but spiritual rest- having time to be still before God and acknowledge His presence and activity in my life and in the lives of others. I like to have these moments, although they seem few and far between, because they are such a breath of fresh air. It can be restorative – so all the more reason to take the time-out to do it! In John 15, Jesus says this, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” The whole passage - from 15:1 to 15: 17 - is worth going over more than once. It is deeply encouraging to know that Jesus is working in my life and in the lives of other people; it’s encouraging to know that God wants us to be near to Him and that we can bear fruit for His glory rather than our own. God is certainly present when we’re busy, silently working as we whirl around and try to accomplish our agendas. He is never really that far. However, it is still worth the time to sit back and take a deep breath and rest because it reminds us of what’s really important in the world and in our lives. It’s a matter of trust, I think: trusting that God will take care of certain matters as you take time to spend with Him. It also seems to be very difficult to do.

Similar to last week, God used another song from Sunday morning to encourage my heart and I would like to share part of it with you in hopes that you too will be encouraged:


Rock of Ages, when the day seems long
From this labor and this heartache, I have come
The skies will wear out but you remain the same
Rock of Ages, I prais your name

Rock of Ages, You have brought me near
You have poured out Your life blood, your love, your tears
To make this stone heart come alive again,
Rock of Ages, forgive my sin


In love and in Him,
Your sister,
Yvonne