Problems In The Parking Lot!

July 22, 2021

Problems In The Parking Lot!

His dog would not walk! 

They were in the middle of the church parking lot when the dog laid down and would not get up.  I don’t know if the dog was tired, hurting, or just lazy.  But, the dog refused to walk.

If it would have been a small dog, I think the owner would have picked him up and continued on their way.  But, this was a big dog, an older dog, a stubborn dog.

No matter how much encouragement or commandment there was no movement.  No matter how much tugging or teasing there was no movement.  No matter how much pleading or pulling there was no movement.  The dog just laid there.

There was a problem in the parking lot!

The dog laid there for over five minutes.  There was an impasse.  The owner finally surrendered and just stood off at a distance.  After several minutes, the dog stood up and the two continued their walk across the parking lot as if nothing had happened.

Sometimes I am just like the dog; I am tired and I am done!  I don’t want to take another step or answer another question or write another letter.  No matter how much someone teases me or encourages me, I just want to stop and be still for a while. 

In Psalm 40:10 we are invited to be still for a bit.  The Psalmist writes; “Be still, and know that I am God!”  Sometimes I just need to stop moving long enough to be still and quiet and receptive.  It’s not the way of the world, but it is the way of the Lord.

Sometimes I am just like the man; I want to keep moving even when everyone around me needs a rest!  I have someplace to go or something to do or a goal to achieve.  No matter how much someone counsels me or encourages me, I just want to keep pushing ahead.

In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus invites us to rest a bit.  Jesus says; “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  Sometimes I just need to find rest long enough to be restored and refreshed by the Holy Spirit. 

At first, it looked like there was a problem in the church parking lot.  But the more I reflected upon what I saw, the more I realized the Spirit was using another person’s experience to remind me of something important. 

Sometimes I need to be still and stop striving.  Jesus will speak when I am still.  Sometimes I need to seek rest and stop driving hard towards the next goal.  Jesus will restore when I am rest.  When I am still in the presence of the Lord and find rest from the Lord my heart begins to sing a song of praise.  My heart and mind and soul and body is restored.  My heart takes delight in the Lord.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug