Conversations In The Garden: Trust and Rest

I have not shared much lately about my conversations with Jesus.  These morning meditations take me to a garden (of my heart) where I believe that the Holy Spirit uses my imagination to speak with me.  I lean back, close my eyes and ask the HS to put a hedge of protection around this time so I only hear the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and nothing else enters the Garden.  I also ask the HS to control my thoughts and open my heart to what God is telling me.   I want to emphasize that I believe it is the Holy Spirit that uses my imagination and my gift to visualize, to speak to me.  I am often surprised by what Jesus tells me or shows me during this quiet time.   These are special times when we have a good talk. It is one of the ways Jesus calls me to be his beloved.

Recently when I entered into the Garden, Jesus took my hand and we went for a walk.  We were soon at the shore standing in water up to our ankles with the ocean beyond.  I looked down, disappointed to see the water lapping over my bare feet, because not too long ago I had drawn a line in the sand in this same place, determined to trust God on my quest to walk in healing from sickness and PTS.  Part of trusting for me, is believing what I am not yet fully seeing.   Having my feet in water made me realize I was struggling with this once again.

All of a sudden Jesus was out on the water beckoning me to come, just like with Peter.  He reached out his hand to me and I had to make the conscious decision to walk towards him and grab his hand.  As I began moving forward I started to look down to see where I was going.  He said, "Do not look down..........do not look back........just keep your eyes focused on Me.  I took a few steps and looked down again because as I walked the water disappeared and the sand came up to meet my feet.  He said a second time, "Do not look down and do not look back.......just look at me."  It then came to me that He was asking me to trust Him.  If I could trust Him enough to walk forward on this journey, each step would become that firm foundation I needed to strengthen me and release the fear, allowing me to rest in Him.

Trust Me.  You are my beloved.

Trust Me.

Yesterday in the Jesus Calling devotional I read these words...."Come to Me and relax in my Peace. I will strengthen you and prepare you for this day, transforming your fear into confident trust."  The scripture to go with this message was found in Matthew 11:28-30.  These verses are never far away from me.  They follow me or I follow them.  Either way God continues to teach me as I meditate on His words for me this year........TRUST and REST.

Then Jesus said,
'Come unto me all of you who are weary
and carrying heavy burdens,

and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you.

Let me teach you
because I am humble and gentle at heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.'" (NLT)

"My yoke is easy
and my burden is light.'" ( NIV)

Matthew 11:28-30