Step Away from the World and Step Into the Arms of Jesus
By Keri Eichberger
But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. (Psalm 73:28)
This is too important not to share, so I want to get right to it. Stepping out and away from the endless demands of the world is one of the hardest things to do. I know this because it sure is me. But when it’s for the sake of stepping into the arms of Jesus, it’s the most beneficial path you’ll choose to take. Proven true in my life again and again.
Rewind six months with me. I found myself volunteering and serving my overachieving-self silly. Putting in something like forty or so hour weeks with Bible Study leadership and ministry duties. On top of strong attempts to keep rock starring my mom and wife self-set responsibilities. And then it all became too much. Way too much, in fact. So, no surprise I suppose that I finally hit the wall of burnout and began to hear the Lord prompting me to take some steps away. First from leading studies, then laying down many of my ministry plans, and finally, even releasing some of the demands at home. And so I walked in obedience. One weary, shaky spirit-led step back at a time. Until it felt I’d almost completely removed myself from my entire visible world. And at this point, all I really knew to do was fall into the rescuing arms of the Lord. For a refill of soul fuel, for renewal, and a total recharge, in him.
And here’s the awesome part. In this foreign desert land, a newfound beauty began to emerge. I slowly started to see God’s provision and care of the things I had recently removed myself from. Seeds I had once planted, and stepped back from, God continued to grow. He continued to take care of my people in my seemingly semi-absence. He continued to care for me. He cared for me with encouraging realizations that he had me. He cared for me by increasing my confidence to rest more and more in him. He cared for me by boosting my belief that he is in absolute control–though I had been living too long like I was. And he cared for me by growing my understanding that he no doubt wants me to depend—not 50%, not 85%, but 100%— on him. He carried my burdens, he gave me rest, he grew my faith.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Have you been feeling a potential pull away from the craze of what feels like a spinning out-of-control world, in order to fall into the rescuing, resting arms of God?
I know how hard it is, but I want to encourage you to lean into the Lord and listen attentively to his call.
I pray you will find a fit for this good choice in your life. Whether you need to say “yes” to an extra hour a day with the Lord for daily doses of refreshment, plan a week off work to refill a more depleted soul, or check-out from something specific for an indefinite sabbatical to gain a complete renewal of the spirit. If you’ve been feeling worn down by what’s going on around you, ask God if it’s time to take that dedicated allotment your heart’s been craving, to truly, thoroughly, surrender all that's weighing you down, to him. To the sovereign God of love and goodness. And remember, he will continue to care for you, everything around you, and all things in his creation. You can be confident to retreat from certain circumstances of your world, and run into the rest of his presence for as long as he calls.
You will never regret the choice to fall into his arms. The Lord will be so delighted and so will you. Friends, intimacy with him grows there. Strength in him grows there. Peace and joy in him will bloom and grow there. I know you want that just like I do. He is waiting. Arms stretched out wide, just for you. Right now. Always.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/camaralenta
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