I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait,
And n His word do I hope.
My soul waits for the Lord
More than the watchmen for the morning;
Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning. Psalm 130:5-6
There comes a time with every painting that I need to let it rest. My eyes have become too accustomed to what I’m working on to see anything out of place. My mind has become numb to new thoughts, ideas, improvement, or correction. I may be overwhelmed by the magnitude of the project or by the smallest detail that eludes me.
When I feel that numbness, overwhelm, or frustration I know I need to close down the studio and let the painting rest. Sometimes it means a few hours away from the piece. Other times it requires an overnight rest. Still others times I might need wait until the end of the week when other commitments are taken care of and I can approach the project with a renewed perspective.
It is during those times of rest, as I wait to “hear” when it is time to dig back in and work creatively again, I can relate to those watchmen referred to in Psalm 130. At times I anxiously wait to complete the work I have begun. I have learned to wait for the Creator to say, “Now is the time.” I return to the project with a fresh approach and attitude. I am refreshed and bring a new perspective to the easel.
There are times in our lives when God says, “Let it rest.”
-Times when we are so dug in to a way of doing things, or to how something should play out that we can’t see the work that needs to be done.
-Times when we “can’t see the forest for the trees”—when we are so focused on the details of life we lose sight of the bigger picture.
-Times when we are so busy or inundated with information that our mind becomes numb to direction, correction, or improvement.
We would be wise to heed the word of the Lord when He says “Let it rest.” He has the perfect timetable. He knows the smallest detail that needs to be changed or added to our lives.
God’s timing is perfect. Waiting on Him to say, “Now is the time” can be a challenge. We can become anxious as we “wait for the morning.”
Isaiah 30:15 tells us that rest brings salvation—of our minds, our hearts, even our projects.
“In repentance and rest you will be saved,
In quietness and trust is your strength.”
But you were not willing. Isaiah 30:15
Look at the rest of the verse. Rest partners with repentance, quietness, and trust.
When we are willing to “Let it rest” we are saved from the anxiety of waiting. We are strengthened to move forward in confidence when the Lord says, “Now is the time.”
Do you find yourself frustrated with your journey of identity and purpose?
Do you feel like your labors are not producing fruit?
Do you feel inundated with information and unsure of where to step next?
Perhaps the Lord is saying, “Let it rest.”
If He is, find ways to rest from those particular labors.
When God says “Now is the time” and you return to your work, I promise you will have a fresh attitude and a different approach. You will find yourself refreshed and perhaps see your life and your project from a new perspective—a Heavenly perspective.
This painting is from the Fruit of the Spirit collection. It represents patience. It is one that took much waiting on my part before it was completed.