Rest In Difficult Circumstances

“My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.”  Exodus 33:14.

God promised this to Moses and I know He promises this to me. Jesus said,

“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”.  Matthew 11:28.

Why does it feel right now as though this isn’t true? I’m with Jesus, I follow Him and yet my current circumstances are not restful. I feel stressed and squeezed. Finances are tight and I mean tight, we don’t own much and the bank account is empty. Holy Spirit has led me to start a new project which I enjoy, but it has its own burden. I got a new job however it looks as though it is not what it advertised and promised to be and so in this kind of situation you feel lied to. I will terminate my trial contract. I’m a foreigner in Finland and since I don’t speak Finnish very well my job options are limited. I feel stuck. I was crying and I said to God, “I don’t know what to do.” I heard Him reply, “Worship me Jenna.”

Worship has saved me many times. Worship in english comes from the old english word ’worth-ship’ It is where we place our worth and our value. It is what we give significance to. Where do I place worth and significance? In God or in my circumstances. I have experienced in worship, deliverance from oppression and depression. I have felt His presence, literally, a comforting warmth and a burning fire. Worship frees me from self-pity as I look at something other than me. Looking at Him, seeing Him as the One who fills the universe in all His beauty allows me to see right. There is a bigger picture going on.

Writing this in the middle of my struggle is an act of worship, a declaration to all powers that no matter what is going on I will go to my God. You see, it’s not Him who leaves me, I leave Him, especially when my circumstances are not what I want them to be. If I can go to Him, be near Him, be near His presence then I will come into my resting place, for in that moment in time, all is good in the world, all is at rest. I can leave my difficult circumstances behind and truly find rest in the arms of the one who says,

“Take my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.”  Matthew 11:29

This world is demanding, we struggle to survive and it is often hard to breathe in all the striving and trying. There is a place I can go, to the arms of my God. To the gentle and humble one. My circumstances may not change immediately, in fact they are not changing as I write this, but my heart changes as it joins with Him and I do find rest as I sit in His presence. Help me stay with you Father, help me stay even though it hurts. Help me give my worth to you. I may not have much or be much in this world but to you I’m a treasure. A treasure that you gave your life for. I have found meaning and rest in you. Bring me back to your presence, I will worship you.