Fleeing on Horses

My friends and family were not surprised when I told them the results of my Strengths Finder test. When achiever, competition, and responsibility were at the very top, no one blinked an eye. I found myself pouring over the results in awe that something could describe me so well. The positives of these strengths were delightful to explore, the possible blind spots, not so much. I discovered what it might feel like for others when I hold them to impossible standards of perfection that no one could live up to. 

As the youngest child in my family, I spent my life performing for others’ approval and recognition. A Type A personality, getting straight As in my studies, running marathons, and learning another language while living overseas – I prided myself on my capacity and ability to achieve with excellence. My life was busy, full, and meaningful. Activities like quietness and rest did not fit into my mindset of how to find strength or meaning in life. 

The truth displayed in the verses caused me to pause. Not only did they open my eyes to God’s ways of repentance, rest, quietness, and trust, but they also served as a dire warning to those who would continue to seek to excel in their own strength. Indeed, God says that if you try to flee on horses, your pursuers will be swift!  

I have learned (yet again) that God created me to be a human be-ing, and not a human do-ing. The turning point for me was realizing who and what I was running to for strength and approval. Next, I intentionally sought God to hear from him what he wanted me to do. Rest. Quietness. Trust. These activities have become anchors for my soul. As I have introduced rhythms of pauses, stillness, and solitude into my daily routine, my soul is finally learning to rest. In fact, like a parched feeling after a long run in the dry Arizona heat, I find my soul now craving quietness and rest. 

Author Brené Brown sums it up well in her book, The Gifts of Imperfection: “If we want to live a Wholehearted life, we have to become intentional about cultivating sleep and play, and about letting go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as self-worth.”

Key Quotation

As I have introduced rhythms of pauses, stillness, and solitude into my daily routine, my soul is finally learning to rest. In fact, like a parched feeling after a long run in the dry Arizona heat, I find my soul now craving quietness and rest.

Question

How might God want you to quiet your soul today and rest in the Lord?

Janelle Stoops, Frontiers