"Hiding Place"

Some don’t think they need it,

Don’t even know it’s there,

I’ll admit it is a hiding place,

That I am slow to share.

What’s so good about it,

Is that it is outside,

Away from all the busy-ness,

A good place you can hide.

Why would someone go there,

So far off the grid,

Why would they think they want it,

And go there to get hid.

I cannot speak for others,

Say only how i feel,

But when the world is crowding me,

I want something that’s real.

And when I saddle up and go,

To that old hiding place,

I find there is clean air to breathe,

And when I seek God’s face,

That’s the place I feel Him,

I sense His presence there,

He lets me know He loves me,

And shows how much He cares.

So if you turn and I am gone,

It won’t be very long,

But I’ve left for my quiet place,

Where I regain my song.

And when I’m back from going,

My spirit is at peace,

And I have let my burdens go,

And felt His sweet release.

Come all you so weary,

Exhausted, burdened down,

Draw aside to Jesus,

In the quiet with no sound.

Cast all your care upon Him,

Take from Him His yoke,

Learn what He will tell you,

In His presence soak.

“Then Jesus, said, ‘Come to Me, all of you who carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest…” (Mt. 11:28, NLT)

We all need relief from our burdens. Some of the burdens we carry are because of the selfish, sinful choices we’ve made. The burden of guilt, shame and regret can be very heavy. Sometimes the burden we carry is more about what others have done to us. We carry the heaviness of hurt, and don’t know how to cure the wound and let it go. We struggle to forgive, but relive the pain over and over. Some are weighed down by burdens that have been given to us by our family or other relationships. Their expectations, limitations, and negative talk have handicapped our thinking to the point of never believing we can ever amount to much. Some have suffered such trauma in their lives through tragedy and grief that all that they attempt is skewed as a result. I could go on, but I think you get my drift. What is the answer? Jesus invites us to come to Him and find relief and rest. How does that work exactly? No one knows the formula, but it has something to do with an humble, sincere heart that simply prays and asks Jesus to lift the burden and take control. Maybe it’s impossible to do that in just one sitting, but why not make a start? It works for me best when I find a quiet place outside, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact anywhere will work as long as you simply begin. He calls. He promises. He will help, He really will.

Lord, help us turn to You and find the rest You promise, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Jack Sorenson, jacksorensonfineart.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Jack, and God bless you.