Rest, Weary Lamb

Rest the lamb, France in 1958 Photo by Robert Doisneau

Matthew 11:28 New English Translation (NET Bible)

28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Jon Foreman - "The House Of God Forever"

The Cure for Pain

Philippians 1:29 King James Version (KJV)

29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

I've been considering the song by Jon Foreman, "The Cure for Pain," and all the ways I try to avoid pain, drawing water from broken cisterns of my own making instead of Christ, the source of living water.  Why I don't go straight to the source can be nothing but foolish pride.  I suffer more trying to escape suffering rather than accepting the gift of suffering for His sake.  God has a reason and a purpose for my pain.  I need not reject it.

The Cure for Pain - Jon Foreman

A Clean Heart

Psalm 51:10

New International Version (NIV)

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,

    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Jeremiah 29:13

New International Version (NIV)

13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Matthew 5:8

New International Version (NIV)

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,

    for they will see God.

Ephesians 3:17

New International Version (NIV)

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

I so often see the symbol of a heart repeated in nature that I'd like to think it is part of God's creative design, His wanting me to consider the condition of my own heart as it is a vessel for Him.  After asking Jesus into my heart as a child, I believed that was just where He was, even if I couldn't quite figure out how He fit.  While I know there's not a tiny Jesus walking around my heart, it's still a divine mystery how Christ dwells within; but He does and He even fits.  What's more amazing is His grace that keeps it clean!  

Happy Valentine's Day.    

Jon Foreman - White as Snow