HE MAKES ME LIE DOWN

If you are like me, you do not thrive in spaces where you feel like you have to fuss, fight, argue or contend all the time. While I do have a fighting spirit (if need be, I will) I DO NOT enjoy it. In life, I would rather just sit back, relax or have a (proverbial) lie down. Who wants to fight all the time?? Unfortunately, we all know that this life often requires us to fight. And some of us, like Sophia in The Color Purple, have had to fight ALL OUR LIVES! Fight against people, fight against situations and circumstances, fight against our own fears and anxieties and fight against the reality that we may not always have what we feel we need.

One interesting fact about sheep is that because of their makeup it is almost impossible for them to lie down unless certain requirements are met. They have to be MADE to lie down and in order to do that, the following four things must be true. They have to:

1. be free of all fear

2. be free from friction with others

3. be free of pests so they can relax

4. be free from hunger

In other words, sheep do not thrive in spaces where they feel like they have to contend for any reason. Much like us, a flock that is discontented, agitated or disturbed will not do well. It is up to their owner to make it possible for them to lie down, rest or relax.

Scriptures often correlate the children of God to sheep! The psalmist knew that he needed just as much care as the sheep he, himself, guarded. Many of us understand and can relate to feelings of restlessness in life. We've all had times of not being able to exhale or "relax" because we were fearful, at odds with someone, annoyed by the nuisances of life, or hungry for something we felt we needed. Or, maybe, in your life there's constantly something to fight for or about. The marriage, the kids, at church, on the job, money woes, with your relatives, with your health and so on. At times, it can feel like you (and I) can't catch a break! Never a dull moment! Always something to keep you on your feet! ALWAYS! And it can (and has) robbed many of us of peace and rest.

Psalm 23:2 reads, "He MAKES me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters." This is a tremendous depiction of rest. It's a picture of the kind of peace and serenity that God gives. Endless green meadows, miles of still quiet waters, a cool breeze blowing, the sun shining and kissing our faces and He, being Jesus, is the Good Shepherd that removes all of the things that keep us from RESTING. He MAKES us lie down in these places. He takes us to where there's tranquility by supernaturally removing doubt and fear. He gives us a different perspective of that individual that we've been at odds with. He takes away the bothersome things by removing us or removing others and He feeds our very souls! So, we don't have to fight, we don't have to struggle! We can be quieted with the assurance of knowing that our Shepherd is near to us. He is aware of our dilemmas and is deeply involved in it with us. And we can find REST in Him!

~Dania Roberts