Just Sit Back And Soak It In

“Just Sit Back And Soak It In”

By Zach Wood

Psalm 27:1 NIV

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?

There are a lot of times in life where we like to kick back, put up our feet, and just soak in the environment around us.  Sometimes, we even like to close our eyes as well.  When we’re at the movies, at the beach, on our porch or back deck, sitting on our couch or recliner at home or sitting at the park somewhere.  These and other places we have all found ourselves and enjoyed the time of just sitting back, being still and soaking in the sun and the sounds around us or the music we’re listening to.

There is just something about chilling out, being still and taking in the beauty of the moment God has given to us.  We all enjoy these moments, but all too often we get so busy with life that we don’t have these moments as often as we’d like.  Some of my favorite times at home is when I sit back on the couch, recline and just relax.  I try to let go of the concerns and worries of life and just enjoy being still.  When I can actually relax, it feels so good and I don’t want to move or get up. 

There’s something about this passage that just relaxes me.  Perhaps because it reminds me of a song by Eden’s Bridge.  Look it up when you get a chance.  Very soothing and inspiring!  Sometimes, we just need a scenery, a nice breeze, or a perfect song that helps us to soak in the life and surroundings around us.  It can remind us of how amazing God is and the peace He brings.

I want to encourage all of us to sit back, relax and just let the words of this passage soothe us and remind us that God is our light and our salvation.  Most importantly, there is absolutely nothing to fear because He is the stronghold of our lives.  Isn’t that simply amazing? 

Sometimes, we just need to turn off the noise and chaos of the world around us and take Him all in.  God loves it when we take the time to just do nothing in His presence but to enjoy Him and His creation all around us.  For those of you who like being in the wilderness or camping, you know the peace of hearing birds and insects make their noise and the calming of being in that environment.  Something about nature can just bring peace and calming to us.  God’s precious Creation can soothe us. 

Find a time and place this week, wherever it might be, and just sit back, relax and take Him in however you can.  Let Him soothe your soul by remembering that He is your light, salvation and stronghold.   

Nothing Else Satisfies

“Nothing Else Satisfies”

By Zach Wood

John 14:27 NLT

I am leaving you with a gift—a peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.  So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Almost everywhere I look these days, I am seeing an advertisement for some product that is either brand-new or it is an updated product that has been reformulated to help make my life so much better.  Whether it is a commercial on TV, ad in the paper, ad on social media, pop-up notification from a store app on my phone, store ad in the newspaper, or a billboard, I get flooded with different ways to consider how I could “easily” make my life better and be happier!

I have to admit, many of the ads are very enticing and I honestly think to myself, “That really would make my life just a little better.  It really would!”  Or, I’ll say to my wife, “Honey, I think we should get that and try it!”  No matter what, there always seems to be some marketing ploy or tactic that really catches my attention and leads me to believe all my problems will be solved if I invest in this one product.

Unfortunately, I have yet to find any product that will make my life complete and totally satisfying.  It just won’t happen.  And I know this, I really do, but I just get tempted to often believe products will satisfy some void I have in life.  Over and over again, God continues to remind me that I will not find any contentment, happiness, joy or fulfillment in the things offered by this world.  No matter how hard I try to look or what I buy into, nothing is going to make me happier or bring more joy as the ads claim.

These words from Jesus are so vital for our lives today.  They are as vital today as when Jesus first spoke them so long ago.  We need peace today in our heart and mind.  We need a peace that transcends anything the world can offer.  We need a peace that can be felt in the midst of a chaotic world that we live in.  We need more than the latest product which promises to make our live happier. 

What we all need to consider is what we are chasing after in this world to make us happy?  What are we buying into these days?  Are we looking for peace of mind and heart in all the wrong places?  Are we thinking it will be the next high-tech gadget?  Are we thinking it will be the next diet plan commercial we see?  Are we thinking it will be the next kitchen appliance ad we see on TV that will make life easier?

May I encourage all of us today and the days to come that all we truly need is the peace of mind and heart that Jesus gives?  Peace knowing that He will satisfy our every longing and always provide what we need.  Peace and provision that the world cannot and never will be able to offer.  Absolutely nothing else can or will satisfy.