TO THE BEAT OF MY NOISY HEART
- Key Verse
- "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
READ THE PASSAGE
Central Truth
Jesus laid down His life for each of us, and now He calls us to find rest in the sufficiency of His death on the cross. We must release our desire to control our lives and receive the invitation to find rest in Him alone.
Reflections
There's a song that talks about people going on and on to the beat of their noisy hearts. I relate to those lyrics and find it easy to have a noisy, restless soul. I can easily get caught up in the frantic pace of my heart and thoughts rather than trusting God and resting in Him. I know in my head that the Lord is ultimately the One who can provide rest for my soul, but in my heart I go on and on trying to control and plan everything.Last fall, I got the flu. I couldn't get my fever down and missed a week of work. The last thing I wanted to do was rest because I knew there were tasks to be accomplished. As my husband, family, and friends tried to encourage me to slow down and rest, I struggled to find comfort from God and release my plan for the week. My whole life I have struggled with control. That week, the Lord wanted to remind me that even though I desperately want it, I will never have control over every circumstance in my life. I can’t find rest when I am in constant task mode and fail to surrender to Him.
I find it hard to allow my heart to get quiet. The Lord sweetly invites me to come to Him as the only One who can satisfy my needs. He desires that I respond to His truth instead of the roller coaster of my noisy heart. If I really believe Jesus is who He says He is, then my life should reflect this: "This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything." (1 John 3:19-20, NIV)
It's been freeing to experience huge growth in this area and to find true rest in the Lord. I still have to fight off noisy thoughts, but the Lord continues to help me receive His gift of rest.
Discussion Questions
1. What are the things in your life that you are trying to control?2. In what areas does the Lord want you to stop and find rest in Him today?
3. When you feel weary or heavy-laden, to whom or what do you tend to run?
4. Why do you think it is so difficult for us to find rest in Christ alone?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What burdens or problems do you have in your life? How can you give them to Jesus?
Reggie
February 4, 2010 05:20 AM
Sarahbeth- thank you for the devotional this AM. Your description of your heart going on and on and yet needing rest and quiet spoke to me. "The Lord sweetly invites me to come to HIm as the only One who can satisfy my needs" is so true. Thanks for calling me to Him this morning.
Julie Penuel
February 4, 2010 05:22 AM
In addition to you heart being a bit noisy, it's bigger than anyone's I know. I feel blessed to live life beside you and see the tremendous ways you love others deeply and care for the hurting! Love you, friend!
Graham Shelby
February 4, 2010 06:50 AM
Great devo Sarahbeth! I love how u incorporated one of my favorite matt nathanson songs into the message that's just awesome
Ashley Marie
February 4, 2010 07:46 AM
Sarahbeth, Thank you for your devotional this morning! I know so many of us, myself included, can relate to knowing that the Lord provides all we need, yet still trying to control things by planning out our lives. What a great reminder to relinquish the control and just allow Christ alone to satisfy us!
Kristin Roberts
February 4, 2010 08:03 AM
Thank you so much for sharing this morning. I too struggle with control issues. It is good to be reminded that we need to give it all up to God. P.S.- I also had the flu this past fall.
David Penuel
February 4, 2010 08:05 AM
SB, So grateful to have you on board with our team! Perfect devotional for me today. May we both remember to get out of task mode and enjoy restful, surrendered hearts!
Jonathan
February 4, 2010 08:56 AM
Thanks for your insight and sharing SarahBeth. I particularly take comfort in Matthew 11: 29-30 "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." So if we feel overwhelmed by the day's events, job, family pressures, etc., I take comfort that Christ Himself asked us to ask Him to help carry the load. What a loving God, whose love is so deep and powerful that we can not fully comprehend its unconditional nature. But, at least for today, let's just accept it!
Monica Fowler
February 4, 2010 09:10 AM
AWESOME devotional Sarabeth! Thanks for all you do for our 8th grade girls...they adore you too!!!
Braun Brown
February 4, 2010 09:11 AM
Way to go SB...So thankful for your authenticity and that you are our student ministry team. May we all find greater rest in our Savior today.
Brooke Mauritzen
February 4, 2010 09:21 AM
Julie took the words right out of my mouth. I love your heart! Way to go SB. You bless and encourage me!
Veronica Serna
February 4, 2010 09:21 AM
LOVED your devo this morning SB! Sweet reminders of how He calls us to rest under Him as we allow him to orchestrate our story versus trying to control it! Love you friend!
Caroline Cumbie
February 4, 2010 09:57 AM
Thank you SarahBeth! Your devo completely resonated with me today. Thank you for the reminder that He wants us to rest in Him and not be overwhelmed by our weak attempts to control everything. Thanks for the encouragement.
Clint Miller
February 4, 2010 10:00 AM
Thanks Sarahbeth! Great reminder for me that God is in control of my life and surrounding circumstances. All I have to do is lay my burden down.
Jill Eppes
February 4, 2010 11:06 AM
SarahBeth, thanks for sharing this wonderful devotional. It really spoke to my "noisy" heart, as well. Thank you for loving the Lord, and all of your friends and family enough to share such thoughtful and insightful comments. I will certainly be meditating on 1 John 3:19-20 today!
Jeremy Jaqua
February 4, 2010 11:25 AM
Hey wifey! Awesome job! I'm so humbled by God blessing me with such an amazing, Godly Wife. I am the definition of a guy "marrying up"! So grateful to be pursuing rest in the Father alongside you! I love you!!
matt
February 4, 2010 03:21 PM
Loved the devotional Reminded me of one of my favorite verses - psalm 27:8 - My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "LORD, I am coming." Lay it down
Kathryn Stouffer
February 4, 2010 05:31 PM
SarahBeth!! Your devotoinal was awesome, and so encouraging!! Thanks for sharing!!
Jen and Bill Jaqua
February 4, 2010 07:55 PM
Hi sweet SarahBeth! We loved seeing your face today for the devotional! What wonderful words and thoughts you shared, I felt a "quiet calm" just reading it! We love you and feel honored to be your Mom and Dad in-law!
Debi Lee
February 4, 2010 09:43 PM
Thank you SarahBeth. What you said really rings true to me. Thanks for being such a great model for Alexandra!
Keith Marx
February 5, 2010 07:53 AM
Control........my big issue !!! Thnx for sharing your thoughts and also your life with my baby (8th Grade) Girl.
Sally Baskey McGaw
February 6, 2010 01:13 PM
WOW! You are an amazing daughter. I wonder if a noisy heart is hereditary? If so, you just might have gotten that from me? Maybe I can learn from you and quiet mine. Your words ring so true and remind me that in this hustle, bustle, busy world that we need to "BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD" Thanks for sharing your sweet spirit with us. I love you and I'm proud to be your mom.
Meg johnson
February 16, 2010 10:24 PM
SB, ...a busy, noisy heart loving others--that's what you definately have! Thanks for your words. You are a precious friend. Meg