"In the Country"

Way out yonder past the lights of town,

Where everybody waves and nobody frowns,

A good place to go if you’re feelin’ down,

That’s the country, old son, that’s the country.

Once was a time when most lived out there,

And if you needed help they showed that they care,

And most of them covered all things with a prayer,

In the country, old son, in the country.

You got what you needed in town when you went,

Or if you heard someone’s going the word would be sent,

But glad to get back when the time had been spent,

To the country, old son, to the country.

And now all jammed up with pavement and steel,

A thin strip of green that doesn’t look real,

Just too many people for the stress that you feel,

Find the country, old son, find the country.

So many, yes, young folks are trying to go,

Back to their roots where it’s rural you know,

Trying hard to recover a lifestyle that’s slow,

For the country, old son, for the country.

And just let me say I completely agree,

Find you some dirt, get to work and you’ll see,

That out there’s more likely the place you should be,

In the country, old son, in the country.

“Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.” (Psalm 37:3, NLT)

There are many references in scripture to being led to the place where your soul can be restored. This doesn’t mean the same thing for everyone. Jesus took His disciples three places for spiritual refreshment- to the desert, the mountain, and the water. The Psalmist speak of being led into quiet pastures, and the finding safety in the land. The main emphasis is in trusting the Lord, but where you are matters, too. Ask God to show you where you need to be so as to best hear Him and do what He says. I believe He will show us clearly because it’s so important.

Lord, help us find the place where we can hear You best and serve You most effectively, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bruce Greene, used by permission. Thanks, Bruce, and God bless you.