“Come, Lord Jesus.
When this world is dark as night,
You are the one we call the light.
When we are tempted to go astray,
You are the one we call the way.
When troubles of life bring harm,
You are the One who brings us calm.”
~Keith Duke, Come, Lord Jesus
There are so many dreams we carry.
So many songs without words.
Yet, there are so many cares that hold us back.
The world has taught us that not everyone will embrace us.
And there isn’t always room for the things we want to do. Or to be.
As we come to a pocket of rest, can allow ourselves a moment to let go of that world?
And take one step closer to Jesus.
To get close enough, so He can see our clenched hands. And hear our thoughts and uncertainties?
Will we give ourselves what He longs for us to receive?
His embrace.
Come.
And draw near.
To Jesus.
As you are.
See.
In this very moment.
What He longs to show you.
What you’ve longed to show Him.
Listen.
To the Inner Voice of Love.
That whispers to you now.
Let it echo in you.
Confide
In Him as friend to friend.
What you’ve longed to whisper and ask.
Let your voice echo to Him.
#Soulrest. It’s #soulbeautiful.
A Soul Conversation
Take a moment now to be with Jesus.
Let Him show you He sees everything. About you.
Let Him show you there is nothing so small or insignificant about you, that He would not cast everything else aside to make His way straight to you.
He does not care what anyone else says about you.
He wants you to come with Him now. To step into a scene He’ll never forget.
To show you just want He means.
It takes place in a room full of people who never noticed anyone of beauty. Only the inner circles they created.
Enter into the soulful whitespace in Mark 3:1-7 —
And He entered the synagogue again,
and a man was there who had a withered hand.So they watched Him closely,
whether He would heal him
on the Sabbath,
so that they might accuse Him.And He said to the man who had the withered hand,
“Step forward.”
Then He said to them,
“Is it lawful on the Sabbath
to do good or to do evil,
to save life or to kill?”But they kept silent.
And when He had looked around
at them with anger,
being grieved
by the hardness of their hearts,He said to the man,
“Stretch out your hand.”And he stretched it out,
and his hand was restored,
as whole as the other.
Then the Pharisees went out and
immediately plotted
with the Herodians against Him,
how they might destroy Him.But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea…
Do you see Jesus?
Where are you in this scene?
Are you the man — with a “withered hand”?
Longing to do and fully be — yet unable to act or be seen?
Which of His words is He speaking to you?
“Step forward.”
or
“Stretch out your hand.”
Or are you standing next to Jesus — in a room filled with people who have their own ideas of what is good or acceptable?
Is there someone He wants you to notice — to touch others through you — even if it causes others to misjudge you?
What does Jesus want you to do or say?
Even if the timing, date or place is rather visible or perhaps inconvenient?
Or are you Pharisee or disciple — observing others step out of their old story?
Are you moved by critical evaluation — or are you moving with Jesus and others, motivated by compassion?
{ if you feel prompted, click to comment. }
My Words
Lord Jesus, here is my withered hand.
It’s trembling.
I want to be made whole.
But, I don’t know if I can.
I want to believe. Help my unbelief.
Lord Jesus, I’m unsure. Of the people who are quick to judge.
Who I know don’t view me in high estimation.
But, I love seeing you next to me. It gives me strength — to step out and be like you.
When you’re near me, I’m not afraid.
When I see you with me, I am safe. And loved.
His Words
It’s going to be okay.
I’m not going to leave you.
I’m staying right beside to you.
Closer than anyone’s ever been to you.
Don’t worry. I know when it gets too scary.
When you feel threatened by other voices, I’ll take your hand.
And we’ll withdraw.
With others who know me.
With others you can trust.
We’ll always be together.
I’ll keep you safe.
And He said to the man who had the withered hand,
“Step forward.”“Stretch out your hand.”
And he stretched it out,
and his hand was restored,
as whole as the other.But, Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea…
~ Mark 3:3, 5, 7
Your Words
Confide in Jesus, as friend to friend.
~ Jesus is right beside you. Close.
~ Step Forward. Come. And share the words on your heart today.
You are among friends. In this quiet space.
Pull up a chair. Click to comment.
{ Remember… Soul rest is soul beautiful. }
~~~~~
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22 Comments
Thank you for sharing. I am being told to “Step Forward”.
You gave words, a voice, to my fear in stepping forward. What will others think? What if it doesn’t work? What if I fail? Then you gave His answers to all my “what ifs”. He is close. Right beside me. I will not fail, He won’t let me. It’s doesn’t matter what others think or say. It only matters what Jesus says. I don’t have to trust others, He only asks me to trust Him. He will never leave me, He’s always beside me.
Thank you, Bonnie for today’s Soul Rest.
My withered body…. A disease that takes over and controls , the energy, the digestion, the heartrate, but not the attitude, unless I forget to ” stretch out my hand”and allow him to first heal my mind, and then accept whatever limitations that physically follow, with determination and ALL HOPE IN HIS HEALING POWER, that I’ll get through this …..moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day. He is Jehovah Rapha, but also my dearest friend. Praises to my Lord Jesus!!!!!!!
Thank you, Bonnie. I am standing with my feet frozen to the ground, “Longing to do and fully be — yet unable to act or be seen.” So afraid of this place of being “real.” It would be so much easier to keep shutting off my feelings. To keep withdrawing into my shell. Jesus keeps inviting me, pleading with me to “Step forward.” To allow His “Inner Voice of Love” to penetrate my heart and melt all the frozen places.
Step forward! That is what I hear today. But my pride, my insecurity is what often holds me back. I hear Him calling me but what will others think? Who do you think you are? These are the thoughts that echo through my mind.
But God …is the God of the impossible. If He calls me to something, He can do it despite me. I want to be used by Him for His Kingdom purposes. I don’t want to get to the end of my life and realize that I missed out on all He had for me.
Beautiful post and words of love and encouragement today Bonnie.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Thank you for this beautiful post. I am unable to get to church this morning, but as I read this and prayed I felt Jesus near. I can see myself both as needing Jesus healing, in many ways, and also in the crowd. I was raised with the “law” and sometimes I find it hard to let go of that as a should, and feel guilty for not following it more closely. Other times I feel used by God through opportunities to pray and offer encouraging words.
I am learning the value of soul rest, and try to make time each day for at least a few minutes of that. For it is in those quiet moments I can hear God speak and step forward and be healed. I believe this happens again and again, each day. I am thankful for a gracious and loving Abba God who sees, knows, cares, and responds and will never ever let me go.
Again, Bonnie … your words of Jesus’ comfort and acceptance of me, this flawed person, met me right where it was needed most today – in my heart and the lies swirling around.
Today I will step forward with my withered hand outstretched and accept His comfort.
I so much enjoy your Soul Rest Sundays.
Blessings ~ Dorothy
Oh how I needed this today. I was blindsided yesterday, and today my heart has been crying out to Papa. But I had not stepped forward for Jesus to bring healing. So I am the withered hand,
But I have just recently step forward to help someone. To be a help and a support. so I am also beside Jesus looking and watching what He does so I can imitate Him.
I can see myself in each of those places though, and that is humbling. I do not want to be a scoffer or a Pharisee. I do not want to become one, because I won’t step forward and be healed.
Thank you again dear lady for writing your blog. your words always speak to my heart, and give me the courage to do what I need to do to grab hold of Christ.
Your message is so beautiful, it speaks to my heart and mind. You wrote, I want to be whole but I don’t know if I can. That is so me. I am so used to being broken now I don’t know if I will ever find my way. I keep trying but as of late, I am so tired. The person I used to be is gone forever and trying to find myself is so exhausting. I can’t even write this without crying. The idea that Jesus is sitting with me right now, listening and watching is so overpowering. I am sure he is whispering to me but I have not been able to hear what he is saying for awhile now. Sometimes God has had to let me slam into a brick wall to get his message across. I continue to eagerly await your posts because I know Jesus speaks through your words to me. I am ever thankful for knowing that. God bless you and keep you, Bonnie.
Hi Bonnie,
I have come to regard Jesus as the closest friend I will ever have. It is so comforting to know He knows me better than anyone, better than myself. I can tell Him anything and everything, even the bad. I have told Him, “I wish I could just see You.” I wish He would just appear at times when I need to be held the most.
We are so totally loved and accepted by Him, without condemnation. He is my anchor; the One I can always turn to in times of duress. And in times of peace. The request of my heart is to fully SEE Him; to fully appreciate Who He is.
The one thing I do is sometimes when someone has hurt me by their insensitivity and I’m in a public place or outside in public, I would look up at the sky and say in my head, “Did you just see this?” Sometimes it is just a look I give Him, like the look that one friend gives another that secretly tells the other what the first one is thinking. (like rolling one’s eyes) I’ve done different things like what one would do if He was standing right there. Like turning my head to the side, as if He was standing behind me, and say in my mind, “Now what do I say?” if I am in a sticky situation.
Yes, treat Him as your best Friend because He surely is.
I have battled severe PTSD for so long now! I see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I’m running full force toward it; but I seem to keep stopping along the way! I keep allowing myself to listen to those voices that do NOT cheer me on or lift me up; those that keep whispering “failure!”, “unloved’, “weirdo”, “too different”! God has shown me the truth of those, and yet I keep allowing it!!! I beg for Him to help my unbelief! I am holding out my hand – I KNOW He will heal me!!! He can heal me, recreate me, renew me! I have to go “all in” and not hold any tiny chamber of my heart to myself. He will never hurt me, leave me nor forsake me… so what’s the hold up? Listening to the wrong voices. I am in this world but not of it, He says. That’s a tough one; wouldn’t we all like to be in one or the other completely? It must be how He feels when we are double minded, and “run hot and cold”. He wishes we were all in for Him! Thank you for your postings, they always reach me , strike a chord, and heal. I need to know there are more out there like me, although I hate that for you! I do believe that God will use me to help heal others – it’s a continuous chain; but there are days like these.. where the voices are loud, the situations scary, when I need to read posts such as yours! thank you, my sister!
I just want to say thank You to Jesus for being there for us always, even on the Sabbath, caring about people who others may not even notice. Thank the LORD for healing, helping hands, that He heals us so we can help others in need of His gentle healing touch. Thank You, LORD, for Bonnie, and this caring online community You have established that is available 24/7 for those seeking Him. LORD bless and keep us always in Jesus’ Name, Healer, Author and Finisher of our faith. Praise the LORD Who meets all of our needs in His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Such a beautiful reading for the day~ Thank you and bless you~
This is so beautiful. It touched me deep inside my spirit an ministered to me. It also gave me courage about. a word I felt god would have me give to someone else who has been a Christian longer than me. I had felt intimidated and unsure right after. Like an attack in my thoughts like who am I to give her a word. Ur post gave me comfort and strength. Ty so very much. I have been away and have missed ur writings lately. Looks like I came back at just the right time!!! May God bless u bonnie as u continue on ur journey. Much love and peace in Christ!
These are the words that my soul is clinging to this day….”I ask-ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ- to make you…discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do…” Eph. 1:18
To know that Jesus invites my soul to journey in honesty into those deep places of the soul…and not only promises healing but his presence no matter how long or treacherous the way, is an assurance to me. I think Sue Monk Kidd’s words are very accurate–“People who choose this way aren’t so much after peace of mind or justice as wholeness and transformation. They’re after soulmaking.”
I just wanted to thank you for sharing these beautiful thoughts. God bless you and keep you!
I thank you for such a powerful message. I cried in awe. God is also working wonders in my life and I’m learning to confide and lean on Him.
He is the amazing physician, how He is tenderly healing the brokenhearted. Knowing He is there always is the medicine that keeps me going one moment, one step, one day at a time. Thank you Bonnie always for your inspiration and constant reminder of how truly blessed I am that He loves me. Love and prayers, Eileen
Where would I be? Hiding somewhere in the crowd, as a small child, terrified by the intensity of hatred, anger, violence and rejection being aimed at Jesus and the suffering its going to lead to.
[…] { if you feel prompted, click to comment. } […]
I feel the comfort of Jesus putting his hand on my shoulder and on my hands. I need to feel the comfort. He is telling me don’t worry it will be ok. Let me take care of it. He tells me he isn’t going to explain to me like he did the disciples. He wants me to simply trust him without explanation. If I keep practicing trusting him- soon it will come without so much effort.
Yes, beautiful. Feel the comfort of Jesus and continue to listen to His words. Be with others who also listen and can keep you company on this journey. Thank you for sharing, Lori.
I am prompted continually to spend time with God. But many times I don’t because I feel as though He’ll ask too much, beyond what I’m capable of. Feeling a bit too honest here. Be still and know that I am God, is ministered to me alot recently. I just want to be out of my head and meet the needs of people, help the lost and hurting