Resting in the Love of God

As I've been reflecting on my work with pastors and Christian leaders over the past 20 years, and my own journey with God, I'm more and more aware of the challenge and need to grow in emotional intimacy with God, not only to bear richer fruit over the span of time, but even more importantly, to personally experience the profound love of God in deeper ways.

The Vulnerability Towards Self-Reliance 

Looking back on my early twenties and thirties, (just a few decades!) I'm so much more aware of how easy it was to rely on my own strength, even while I was seeking to honor the Lord with my efforts. There's no criticism there;  it's just a recognition of a human reality. It's so much easier to rely on our own strength when we have ample reserves. And, when we have more natural strength (or energy), it is harder to see ways we are not receiving emotional and spiritual strength through our relationship with God. 

But over time, I have noticed that energy certainly doesn't bounce back like it used to. And, with more experience in coming alongside people, there comes a time when you realize the scale of problems is so much bigger than anything you can solve on your own.  

The Eventual Limits of Self-Reliance 

The combination of these two things, I believe, is certainly intentional on the part of the Lord. I'm confident he appreciates my endeavors in my 20s and 30s and 40s. But as I went through my 50s and into my early 60s, I became increasingly aware of the tender yet persistent voice inviting me to greater levels of surrender and trust. 

The Gift of Receiving More Deeply from God 

And I believe His bigger rationale here, is really to deepen my capacity to receive his love and strength more and more deeply. And, I am super-confident He longs for that for all of us, especially as we get older and see our own limits more clearly.  

God Shows Up!

As I have slowed down, and let myself be more present to my heart, it has been so striking to see God show up. What has been so rich about that is that his love, over time, truly is moving from my head to my heart. I'm beginning to experience more and more deeply what it means to genuinely rest in him. To let my body fully relax into His limitless yet somehow containing love.  As a result, Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28-30, where he says: "Come to me and find rest..." are becoming much, much more real.  What a sweet gift! 

As I begin to wrap up this shorter blog, let me state that, of course, God appreciates our best efforts to serve Him and others.  Yet, especially if we have found our worth through giving to others, particularly when we come from homes where we felt the need to be there for others prematurely, I believe God longs even more for us to learn to rest in His love. He is so good. 

I will share more about this in the coming weeks, Lord willing, but having seen the power of learning to rest in God’s love more deeply, both in my life and in the lives of those I serve, it is truly one of the most amazing gifts we could ever receive.  

Overflow to Others

And, as we grow in that ability and enjoy a deeper emotional intimacy with God, it cannot help but show up in positive ways as we engage with others. I have seen that over and over.  

May God help you receive more and more of His love, to help you rest in Him more and more deeply, and may you enjoy bearing richer fruit through that as well.  

Blessings, 

Nick