The Restful Walk

How much time have you spent thinking about what you should do or should have done, and how much time in the actual practice of doing whatever it was you thought about? It might surprise each of us how much time we wasted on this practice.

Consider the depth of what Oswald Chamber had as insight on this in this phrase. "A child of God never prays to be made aware of the fact that God answers prayer, because he is so restfully certain that God always answers prayer." Let's look at that again. "A child of God never prays to be made aware of the fact that God answers prayer, because he is so restfully certain that God always answers prayer." Now consider the weight of that statement.

His point is that often our prayers concentrate on praying for proof that God loves us instead of claiming the truth that He truly does, and spending our time in praise and thanksgiving because He does.

I realize that this is somewhat like telling someone to not think about a subject, which automatically causes the brain to "go into repeat mode" and become even more consciously aware of the subject than before. Oh, how we need to so let Christ's presence grow in us that we think not so much about thoughts of Him as we do keep our minds "on play" in relation to Him. When I walk with a friend, I don't think about "the walk with a friend" but I accept this as "part and parcel" and concentrate on what we talk about along the way. And He is a true friend that sticks closer than a brother. Matthew 11:28 has this phrase that describes such a walk, "...and I will give you rest." Now, here's my poetic rendering on the subject:

The child who's loved walks with no fear

That he who loves will disappear.

He trusts that love will find a way

To bring the best into the day.

His mind accepts this heart-based fact,

So fearful thoughts cannot enact.

His mind keeps, rather, this in view,

What he and lover, together, will do.

Oh, Father, help me keep such mind

That puts untrust in You behind.

Help me accept and treat Your love,

Wholly reflected from heaven above,

Not as mere thought to think about,

Nor as reminder putting fear to rout,

But as a fact of You with me,

Walking together in harmony.

May today you be encouraged, and not just think about being encouraged. Did I say that right?