“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.” –Luke 10:38
I listened to my daughter read this familiar story to me a few days ago. She was draped across my bed, dressed and ready for the day, hoping that I would soon follow suit. We had a full agenda set in place long before the August sun brilliantly heralded its morning chorus. But instead of diving head-long into our “to-do” list, I decided to drape myself alongside my daughter on the bed and, together, we had morning devotions. There’s a sweetness wrapped up in that – draping and devotions and a daughter – a tender, gentle, eternal reminder of home, of what awaits me just on the other side of this veil.
Her words caught me off-guard, as is so often the case when I hear God’s Word read aloud. She read five verses; my heart and my mind, however, remained solidly fixed on the first one – the one printed above.
“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way ….”.
It’s a familiar posture for our Lord, both in practice and in spirit. His feet and his heart were always moving forward. Places to go; people to see. A path to follow; a hill to climb. Never once did Jesus lose sight of his final destination. But along the way and as he went, there were some glorious pauses of holy revelation, occasions where he left his divine calling card in the soil of humans souls so that they (and we) might know how to live our lives forward with purpose and with his final destination in mind.
I like this. This particular weaving of my doing with my being makes sense to me. It anchors my heart in this season when I have a destination in mind but with a lot of open road in between my now and my then. That open road? Well, there are multiple routes that will lead me to where I’m going. That used to bother me; not so much anymore. Why? Because Jesus is my now. Jesus is my next. Jesus is my then. I don’t need to get all fussed up about the details. I simply need to lean into and alongside the One who’s walking the road with me. Jesus will not abandon me, and the weight of my details always lands easily on his broad shoulders. Along the way and as we go, he will direct the rest stops – those unforeseen pauses requiring our presence where we’ll have the rich privilege of leaving a divine calling card in the soil of human souls.
This has been a season of unforeseen pauses for me. I haven’t liked most of them, but I haven’t lost Jesus in any of them. And this is how I know that I am heading in the right direction. With Jesus, I don’t need a compass. Jesus gloriously and holy is the compass. Accordingly, I worry less these days about the road to the finish line – the miles in between where I am now and where I’m headed. Instead, I give more attention to the One who will carry me there.
I am a daughter deeply devoted to her Father, willing to drape my days with his presence and with the truth of his Word as my covering. There is, indeed, a sweetness wrapped up in that – an eternal anchor that (every now and again) pulls me beyond the veil to catch a glimpse of my forever. I pray it is the same for you, that the details of your current detour aren’t weighing you down too heavily but that, instead, you are sharing the road with Jesus. His yoke is easy; his burden is light, and he will not abandon you. Jesus will carry you.
This is enough grace for the road we’re traveling, friends. This is enough Peace for the journey to lead us safely home. Keep moving forward. The best is yet to be.
How might I pray for you today?
“Because Jesus is my now. Jesus is my next. Jesus is my then. I don’t need to get all fussed up about the details.” >>>> Oh how that speaks into my heart. For a controller like me, I find sweet rest and peace in knowing that Jesus wants to be my all. The older I grow the more I lean into that. Beautiful post, Elaine.
Honestly, I don’t have the energy for all the fussing anymore. I quickly wear myself out. I think this is one of the gifts of growing up in the faith over the years. At nearly fifty, some things are finally taking hold, friend. Love you!
That same portion of your words that spoke to Leah, also spoke to me this morning…my word this year has been “everything”, and the Lord has constantly humbled me with “all” that He can be in my life and the lives of my loved ones…my puny efforts at giving Him my “everything” and placing “everything” in His outstretched hand have only magnified His wondrous love and mercy in my life.
And the unforeseen pauses you mentioned? Awesome and heartrending at the same time as those “broad shoulders” bear the load and lead the way home…
As always, your words create a reflective respite that refreshes my soul…thank you, again, Elaine!
Agreed – awesome and heartrending. It is the way of pilgrimage. Thanks for being here, Karen. It’s good to hear from you. I pray you are well.
Thank you, thank you, Elaine for sharing your draping of your days in His Presence. This helps us seek to do the same.
I pray it is the same for you, that the details of your current detour aren’t weighing you down too heavily but that, instead, you are sharing the road with Jesus. His yoke is easy; his burden is light, and he will not abandon you. Jesus will carry you.
This is enough grace for the road we’re traveling, friends. This is enough Peace for the journey to lead us safely home. Keep moving forward. The best is yet to be.
Amen and Amen!
Thank you, Kathie. God’s companioning presence is an incredible gift of grace each day. Blessings!
you are very good at touching my heart sweet friend, love you.
wifefrothejourney:
Our daughter’s zeal for discipleship and the discipline of Bible study is a bright light in her heart. The evidence of her faith is a testimony to the relationship she has with her Mom and with Jesus.
Love to you both!
-Billy
I always love the words that God shares through your writings. Blessings, Cindy
Love this post, Elaine, and the thought you share about Jesus being our compass. As we walk with Him, we can truly be at rest. I just need to remember that a little more quickly at times! 🙂 Blessings!
My maternal grandmother used to have a saying – “I, being in the way, was led of the Lord.” I love the Truth of that statement. As we walk, as we follow our Lord, as we journey along the Narrow Way – He will lead us. All too often I want the roadmap so I can avoid the pitfalls and pauses. But He knows the way, and how long it will take to get from here to there. Might He brings us *peace for the journey*…
GOD BLESS!