Have you "rested" lately?

As I stand behind my mother’s sink to refill the water pitcher, a slight movement within the red maple’s leaves capture my attention. How can such a miniscule portion of the tree be in movement when the rest of tree is so still? Cool water cascades over my hand and startles my attention back to the task at hand but only long enough to turn the water off. I can’t figure out how there can be even the slightness of movement in the absence of a breeze? Lord, how is this possible?

God is so good. Before I even finish the word “possible”, I realize the reason. Resting ever so gracefully on the branch is a hummingbird! His wings flutter ___ mph yet he doesn’t move off the branch. Lord, you amaze me. In spite of the ___mph wing movement, he rests. Only you could make it possible to be still yet still in motion. Do you think it is possible to be moving that quickly yet not going anywhere? I do.

In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat –
For He grants sleep to those he loves.  Psalm 127:2

I’ve always been active and involved in an array of things, even as a child. After my sister’s kidnapping in 1994 my busyness took on a new dimension. I diverted my grief, fears, anger, and frustration into anything and everything. This is not to say all I did was negative or unimportant but it was a mask or substitute for seeking God. My wings fluttered constantly with no true rest, three hours a sleep a night was enough. I was the hummingbird with my wings constantly a flutter so the grief buried ever so deep couldn’t surface. 

As I watch this hummingbird “rest”, it dawns on me – even the busiest of God’s creatures rest. A rest we all need; to rejuvenate and heal our bodies, to process new material, and most importantly – to hear from God! I still remember a conversation with my pastor shortly after I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. He challenged me, “Lisa, why are you so busy? Why don’t you rest and enjoy the silence?” Without thinking, “I’ve always been busy.” Thankfully he was patient with me and explained his questions in more detail.  Since I love a good challenge (and he obviously knew this of me) I turned off the media and started to listen.

It has taken me another six plus years to truly grasp this concept and put it in to practice, hence the powerful message God blessed me with through the hummingbird. Things are not always what they seem. Do you see the bird in the photo above? I’ve eliminated a lot of the “filler busyness” in life. I am still in constant motion like the hummingbird yet I have learned to rest on the branches to hear from God – seeking His direction in my tasks, not my own.

My mind still moves like the wings of the hummingbird with my schedule quite similar yet the purpose, strength, and decisions behind the movement serve God and not me. Each day as I sit for my quiet time with God, to rest – I’m reminded of how busy my mind is. With sticky notes at my side, I jot down the distractions and return my attention where it should be – with God. I’ve learned my mind may not slow down but it is possible to “rest” amidst the movement. Do you see the hummingbird in the photo aboe and the one below...God's creation and beauty is all around us.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28 - 30