I woke this morning, suddenly, aware that it was morning although the night had not yet completely given way to day. I lay, still and quiet in the grey half-light, listening to the sounds of birds calling to each other, of the wind sighing in the trees, the roosters crowing, and the very distant traffic noises. Rest still suffused my body as I allowed the various sounds to wash over me while I lay there watching the day come into its fullness.

I quietly thanked God for the privilege of living in a place where the sounds of nature fill the air instead of the sounds of battle, where warmth and safety are taken for granted and we are blessed with everything we need to live a good life.

Later as I walked around the nearby lake I watched the ducks and native hens enjoying the freedom to swim if they wanted or to waddle around the surrounding grounds. Other locals out walking their dogs or jogging either stopped for a chat or smiled and waved as they ran past. The water shimmered in the breaking sunlight and lapped quietly against the shore as the breeze strengthened ruffling my hair and rustling the leaves of the many trees that grow in clustered groups along the path.

I quietly thanked God for the blessing of living in this place where the crunch of gravel underfoot is a reminder of the community we live in, of those who come together to work at keeping this a great place to live. ‘Come into my REST’ He says, and this morning I was very aware of what that means.

In quietness and trusting confidence is our strength. As I walked in the quiet stillness, I sensed a drawing into His rest, a safe place, a place of peace. In the midst of breathless activities, of constant movement, this morning was a place of quiet, of stillness. I knew myself being strengthened as I allowed the stillness to become a part of me.

Early in the morning Jesus went to a lonely place to pray. Locked in between the loud words of action we read in the Gospels, this place of solitude in the early morning, this lonely place is where Jesus communed with the father without the tugs and pulls of togetherness that was always a part of His life and ministry. Perhaps it was in this quiet place where Jesus entered into intimacy with the Father, that His ministry was born (Mark 1:35).

Jesus called His disciples, in Mark 6:31, to come aside into this quiet place and get some rest; away from the constant demands of those who followed them, to a place where they could be refreshed and replenished. He calls us today as he did them, to do the same.

I see many people, including Christians, who are under great stress, constantly giving in to the demands made on them; many who need to take a break or risk having a breakdown or burning out. In the midst of our busy and intense lives it makes sense to deliberately choose to withdraw from interaction with other people in order to be alone with the Lord in a quiet place, in solitude. He will give us rest.

I love the way The Message renders 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
how to live freely and lightly.’

Are you one who needs to draw apart? To come into that quiet place of solitude to be refreshed? What are you struggling with that’s stopping you? I’d love to help you ‘learn the unforced rhythms of grace’. You can contact me by using the Contact Us page on the website.
Shalom.

Do you dream? I do, every night. I don’t remember them though – or at least I remember bits and pieces but even these memories fade if I don’t explore by writing down what I remember.  And when I walk around the block each day lots of things go through my mind, some of them quite inspirational! But…if I don’t write them down very quickly they are like a mist on the river that is here this morning and gone by lunch time.

It is estimated that the human brain produces 70 -100,000 thoughts on an average day. No wonder we can’t remember things! Research shows that those who take the time to write down their goals have a significantly greater chance of  achieving what they desire in life than those who don’t.

But goal setting is more than writing them down on a piece of paper. We need to think about what we want to achieve. Our goals need to be specific, measureable, achievable, realistic and time-guided or tangible (SMART).

Some things to think about to help you achieve your goals:

1. Know your purpose in life  (do you know who you are in Christ Jesus? What is God’s purpose for you? (see Jeremiah 1:5)).

2. Become balanced (check your life and if you find areas that are unbalanced, ask God to help you make whatever adjustments are necessary).

3. Have a good attitude (the only thing we really have control over is our attitude).

4. Desire excellence (Aristotle said we are what we repeatedly do – if we are consistently mediocre in our attitude and actions then that’s what we are – mediocre).

5. Step by step (break your goals down into little steps; you’ll find the task is less overwhelming and easier to achieve if you do this. You’ll achieve momentum and your faith will be encouraged as you see what you thought impossible become possible as you trust God to move you forward).

6. Don’t bow down to fear (face your fears and know that you can do what God has called you to do because He has given you all that you need, in Jesus, to achieve it).

7. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you (not only will you be encouraged but you will also not want to disappoint them).

8. Remember to enjoy the journey and celebrate little successes along the way – and never, never give up!

So, what is the dream or vision God has put in your heart? Take a few minutes to answer the questions below.

WHAT (What do you really want to achieve?)

WHY? (Why is the goal so important to you?)

WHEN? (When do you realistically want to achieve this goal by and why?)

HOW? (How are you going to achieve this goal?)

REWARD (What will you reward yourself with once the goal is accomplished?)

Jeremiah 29:11 (AMP)
¹¹ For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

I found this poem while looking back through my journal. I had been exploring the difference between walking in the Spirit and walking in the flesh.

Walk in the Spirit, in the Light
Know He is guiding day and night
Hand-in-hand, step-by-step
Always forward, onward – securely kept.
Safe, assured of His presence,
His power, His essence
Flowing in and through
Always there, always new.
Dreams, visions, imagination
All encompassed in Christ-like formation.