Worship - Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting

The Don’t Wants and Can’t Help Its

May 14, 2020 by Ellen 14 Comments

{An oldie, originally published in August 2017. I find it has even more meaning today. Will you still yourself during this time, to hear God speak to you?}

I find myself in an odd mood – a funk, if you will – that has been hard to shake. Maybe it’s the unbearable heat and humidity down here in south Louisiana. I’m just not motivated to DO anything.

Perhaps it’s the summer doldrums: a state or period of inactivity, stagnation, or depression. It’s not that I am care free, I am just free from caring…about anything. I’m not careless, I could just care less…about anything.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Psalm 42:11ESV

It’s what my Mama used to call the “don’t wants and can’t help its.” I don’t wanna do anything, and I can’t help feeling this way.

My normal prescription is to do the next thing. Whatever must be done next, just do it, keep moving, put one foot in front of the other and keep going. No. Matter. What.

Not this time. This go ‘round, I just stopped. Leaned into this feeling. Decided to take a sabbath rest. Go with the flow. I tried not to stress too much over WHY I was feeling this way, or WHAT I should do to correct my course. I just slowed down.

The Lord seemed to be nudging me to spend time with Him. I thought that was odd, because I already do that, each day.

My heart has heard You say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.” Psalm 27:8 NLT

What He wanted was my attention. Quality time. Distraction free. God wanted me to know Him more intimately and experience His provision during this season.

Green pastures and still waters of the twenty third Psalm called to me and slowed my hurried and harried heart. Soul restoration is what I craved. But how? How will He restore my soul?

Then I saw it: He MAKES me lie down, He LEADS me beside the waters. My thoughts and breathing slowed, calming the worries of my heart. He was ever so gently MAKING me take this time of rest.

Perhaps that’s the WHY of these “don’t wants” – so that He can grab my attention and make me slow down. He’s leading me to find green pastures and still waters. The Lord wants me to stop and lean in to Him.

Suddenly, I had the don’t cares again – in a good way. I didn’t care about the why or how or what, I only wanted His presence. The Who. Jesus. I felt Jesus stirring my soul to spend time with Him. To stop and listen to Him. So I did.

I began to practice listening, more than talking, during my prayer time. Expectantly, I waited to hear from Him. Let me tell you, when Jesus takes the lead in a conversation, He doesn’t disappoint.

Ever so slowly, I began to hear Him.

[tweetthis]My words quieted, and I heard His.[/tweetthis]

Jesus became my focus.

Make no mistake, the distractions are still there, and will be as long as Satan is around. But I’m fighting them, and training my brain in new habits (don’t pick up that cell phone before you pick up the Word of God!).

What I’ve discovered in the leaning in, is this: When you quiet and still yourself, your heart calms, your mind clears, and you can focus. With heightened senses, you feel His presence, hear His voice, and the busyness of the world fades away.

What’s the pace of your life right now? Do you need to stop, and lean in to Jesus?

Father, lead us beside still waters, make us lie down in green pastures. Quiet our words so that we can hear You. Amen

Grace be with you,

A Different Kind of Easter

April 9, 2020 by Ellen 8 Comments

WHEREAS, the measures are necessary to protect the health and safety of the people of Louisiana,

NOW THEREFORE I, Governor of the state of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:

…all gatherings of ten or more people shall be postponed or cancelled…until Monday, April 13, 2020^⁠1

April 13? Why, that’s the Monday after Easter, isn’t it? No Easter church service? No Easter lunch with all the family?

The thoughts sputtered in my brain.

But, but, what will we do??

Easter 2020 will be a different kind of Easter for sure. However, it won’t be much different that the first Easter.

So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19 NASB

The first disciples were huddled behind closed doors in fear of the Jews. We are staying home for our health, wary of the highly contagious, deadly Covid-19 virus. We are disciples staying in for our safety, just like they were.

And Jesus still speaks those same words to us today: Peace be with you.

The peace of Jesus can be ours this oh, so different Easter.

In the gospels we read about parents bringing their children to Jesus, so that He might pray for them. The disciples scolded the parents. I can imagine why. When you get a group of small kids together, it’s no easy feat to control them! Just ask any VBS worker!

But Jesus said “Let the children come.”

Imagine with me all the children crowding around Jesus! They had no agenda, and no expectations. The kids had just heard about this man from their parents, and wanted to see Him. Their parents had said He would pray for them. So they flocked to Jesus.

Imagine with me all the children sitting at His feet. They just wanted to spend time with Him. Imagine the stories He would tell them, and the blessings He would pray over them. And they are happy and content, because they had Jesus.

Let’s put that perspective on Easter this year:

Our perspective: We can’t have our traditional Easter service with our church family.

God’s perspective: You have My Son, who died for you! You are co-heirs with Him. You are His child.

Our perspective: We can’t have our big family lunch after church.

God’s perspective: You have Jesus, the bread of life. You will never thirst again, if you drink the water He gives.

Be like children this Covid-19 Easter 2020: Sit at the feet of Jesus. Spend time with Him. Enjoy His company. Feast on His words! Be filled with the peace of Christ.

Yes, it will be a different kind of Easter. But in a good way.

“He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.” Matthew 28:6 NASB

Halleleujah! He is risen!

He is risen indeed!

Grace be with you,

¹https://gov.louisiana.gov/assets/Proclamations/2020/JBE-33-2020.pdf

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