Resting or Restless

In North Texas, we are on day three of an ice event keeping families at home.  The roads are thick ice and the skies are completely white with no sign of melting in the immediate future.  The wind chill makes it feel like 23 degrees, so only the tough among us are enjoying the outdoors while sledding, slipping and sliding on every imaginable surface, including the grass.  For some of us, time is spent watching movies, baking, playing games and reading (etc.), but for others of us (including my family members in Dallas), it means freezing and complete boredom while on day 3 of no power.  To put it simply, we are STUCK at home due to God's providence of paralyzing weather. 

For me, this is a picture of so much of our lives.  Every day we face the protective care of God and circumstances out of our control.  It seems we have only two choices while dealing with a difficult providence.  We can rest in Him or we can be restless.  As I start to feel cabin fever, restlessness increases, but at the same time I'm also grateful for (and mindful of) a time of forced refreshment where there is nothing I can do to change the weather forecast.  This posture, or shall I say tension,  relates to multiple daily challenges where I battle a tendency to be anxious rather than trusting in the tender hand and almighty power of God.   So often, His is work in my life is through circumstances out of my control where I wrestle and then learn to abide in Him more fully.

"The Lord in my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul.  He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
Psalm 23

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