Setting the heart to seek the Lord is hard for inconsistent people like me.

Once in early autumn I prayed, “Do not let spring come and find me the same.” There was a reason for this prayer. Year after year, Christmas approaches and in a breath is gone. Spring arrives and quickly vanishes. After barely a thought, it’s Christmas again.

Season after season, I remained the same. Anxious. Fearful. Carnal. Directed  (misdirected) by the flesh. Sick of this cycle, I asked God to intervene. It was a dangerous prayer and I knew it. But what could be worse than for spring to come and find me the same?

A few weeks later, I read the Hannah Whitall Smith book The God of All Comfort and gained a new understanding of the concept of resting in the Lord. I’d prayed, “Teach me to rest” and promised to share whatever truths he gave. I learned there is a dwelling place—the secret place of the Most High—where I can abide, taking with me the ones I love and trusting all into God’s almighty hands.

In the months that followed, life grew complicated. Some of the people I loved suffered illness and some, death. In heart-wrenching circumstances, I found little rest and cried out to God, “How much hurt can one heart bear?”

And then came the clincher—a threat so large that I could only run to God and throw myself on his mercy. Could I see this circumstance in any way other than as God at work?  Could I trust Him? Could I rest in confidence? I could do nothing. God could. He lifted the burden and settled his peace over me.

I said to self: surely there are enough promises in the Bible to carry me. And my spirit began to sing a new song. Carry me, Lord…I need you to carry me…The mountain’s steep, the valley deep. The path is firm beneath your feet. So carry me, Lord…I need you to carry me.

I said to self: surely there are enough promises in the Bible to carry me. And my spirit began to sing a new song. Carry me, Lord…I need you to carry me…The mountain’s steep, the valley deep. The path is firm beneath your feet. So… Click To Tweet

The Lord whispered, “…you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you” (Isaiah 46:3-4).

Rest! Unfathomable rest.

When I set my heart to seek the Lord, I’d also asked him, “Would you teach me to pray?” I love learning, but I prefer simply to thank God for teaching me his truths without providing situations in which to apply them. Walking through despair, I leaned on the Lord, assured of his presence and his sovereignty, and prayed in desperation, believing he heard.

Learning to pray isn’t a formula. It’s a connection with my Father, expressing my love and appreciation, relying on his strength, knowing he’s working for my good and his glory.

Learning to pray isn’t a formula. It’s a connection with my Father, expressing my love and appreciation, relying on his strength, knowing he’s working for my good and his glory. Click To Tweet

Maybe it sounds like I’m obsessed with my relationship with the Lord. I am! I want to please him. I want to rest in him. I want to take every need to him in prayer and praise him in every circumstance.

Many seasons have come and gone since my prayer, “Do not let spring come and find me the same.”  I am not the same. I’ve set my heart to seek the Lord. Of course I’m still learning. I still face challenges. I still deal with heartbreak. But I’ve learned to rest in my Father’s arms and talk with him about every concern in my life.

He’s given me his word that whatever happens, he will carry me.

Have you set your heart to seek the Lord?

Living the maximum life!

Please tell me about a time when you dared to pray dangerously. And I’d appreciate your sharing this with your friends!

© Dianne Barker 2020