My cat might not have needed my attention as I first thought. Perhaps this cat was sensitive enough to see I was the one in need of calming. So I took a deep breath. I slowed down my petting and stroking. He began purring and relaxing under my hand. I began breathing in rhythm. The moment turned to soft and tender care.
Have you noticed Jesus standing nearby in a similar way? Do you see Him trying to get your attention? Do you rush at Him with a short, curt response, consumed with something more pressing? Too distracted to give proper attention? He’s trying to reach you, bring you to a more calm and peaceful place where you can let your bunched up shoulders down. A place to take time to organize your thoughts. Make a necessary shift. To take a deep, cleansing breath and step into His rhythm.
Stop barreling through… or stop getting stuck… He is looking at you with eyes of compassion. Touching you gently. Calling you sweetly. Peace My friend. Peace… and much like my cat, He too will be persistent. He knows what you need even before you ask Him (Matthew 6:32). So come. Come, He calls, to a quiet place and rest awhile. Relax under His caring hand.
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31
He provides me rest in rich, green fields beside streams of refreshing water. He soothes my fears; He makes me whole again, steering me off worn, hard paths to roads where truth and righteousness echo His name. (Psalm 23:2-3 VOICE)
True to Your word, You let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. (Psalm 23:3 MSG)
