It was a quiet Tuesday afternoon when I sat down for my second quiet time of the day.
My quiet times are sacred moments, held every day at 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. Not out of legalism, but out of a deep desire to actively and consistently carve out time just for Him. This balance of routine and fluidity helps me stay close to the Lord.
By 3 p.m, homeschooling my daughter is done, and before the evening begins – with dinner, dishes, and her bedtime routine – I find this time to sit with the Lord. On this particular afternoon, with a steaming cup of tea in hand, the Lord led me to Psalm 23:2.
As I prayed for the Holy Spirit to minister to my heart, three words in this verse stood out: “He makes me.”
I paused and reflected on them. They were a gentle yet profound reminder that the Lord lovingly leads us, often making us do things we might not naturally choose – because our hearts don’t always know when or how to seek what’s good for us.
Reading further, I saw the process the Lord takes us through when “He makes us” do something for our good. Let’s look at it together:
“He makes me lie down in green pastures.”
Why? To rest with Him.
“He leads me beside still waters.”
Why? To feel refreshed by Him.
He restores my soul.”
How? By revealing new truths about the season we’re in.
If we consider singleness as an example, it’s easy to want to bypass the rest and jump straight to restoration or the blessings of a new season. But in the rest, there’s a process the Lord desires to complete.
In His rest, He may want us to feel true peace.
In His rest, He may want us to learn true trust.
In His rest, He may have something to say.
Yet how often do we try to skip past what’s truly needed in order to receive what we want?
It’s in these quiet, intentional moments with the Lord that we learn to embrace His process and trust His timing. The rest He invites us into isn’t idle or unimportant – it’s transformative. It’s where we discover His peace, His truth, and His unfailing love in ways we might have missed while rushing ahead.
So, as you reflect on your own season, I encourage you to slow down, to lie down in the green pastures He’s prepared for you, and to let Him restore your soul. There’s so much He wants to give, and it begins with surrendering to His gentle leading.
The peace you long for is waiting in His presence.
Will you let Him lead you there?
