So, I don’t believe in opening the bible and pointing at a page haphazardly, as if we could hurdle a dart across a room at a target in an attempt to precisely find answers to life’s challenges.

But, today when I sought encouragement and opened a book, not the bible itself, His voice fell into my lap. I was lifted up by God’s words.

As I reflected at the end of my day, I was not happy with myself, pointedly because it was the 2nd day of the new year and I had already felt anger, discouragement, frustration, and distance from my creator. With all of that bubbling up, brewing and stewing, I wedged that distance in there pretty tightly myself, didn’t I?

I opened the book Jesus Calling, Enjoying Peace in His Presence, authored by Sarah Young,  randomly (I threw the dart.). My thought was, “I cannot do much worse than what I’ve already done to myself today. Let’s see if I find a fix.” Keeping in mind that Sarah’s Jesus Calling books are written in dialogue, as if we are having a personal conversation with our maker (and we are, always, of course, right?), here’s what I buckled my knees down to (excerpt):

“Relax in my healing, holy Presence. Be still while I transform your heart and mind. Let go of cares and worries so that you can receive My Peace. Cease striving, and know that I am God.”

“Cease striving.” Were those tears wetting my dry eyes? “Let go of cares and worries so that you can receive My Peace.” Exhale. Largely. My goodness, I whispered, where had I been? If only, if only I had let Him. If only! He forgives. His grace is love.

As peace wrapped itself around me like a soft blanket, “It is through knowing Me intimately that you become like Me. This requires spending time alone with Me. Let go, relax, be still, and know that I am God.” I do want you, Father. You are my One. There is nothing else. Nobody. Not a thing.

Psalm 46:10 NIV He says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Be still my child. Nothing else matters. Tranquil, harmonious peace.

Amen.