Welcome to another quiet meditation in nature. Allow your senses to pause in the middle of your week to soak in the image above from Iceland. Our God is truly an artist, and these iconic scenes seem specifically designed to bring us beauty, peace and wonder.
Notice how the water moves along its way, with its sparkling presence, as the centerpiece of this epic canyon passage. It gently flows the substance of life to new landscapes so naturally, and without effort, just the way our God designed it to do. In this context, take a moment now to converse with Him.
Lord, your designs on Earth are amazing, and remind me that the natural ways of life you created exist so effortlessly and give us a sense of peace without striving or stressing. It gives me a sense of wonder in how nature works together to make life on the planet possible to sustain us all like a magnificent, orchestrated song.
My life is not so effortless, and if I’m honest, there is a level of striving that seems unnatural. Lord, help me to settle into the natural ways you made for mankind, and rest in how you made me. The ‘real’ me that you know and love. Father, once more I let go of the striving and stresses that push in on me, and bring my thoughts captive to your purpose and plan. In this moment I realign my spirit with yours and welcome the rest you bring.
As I head back into my day, I am thankful for the natural rest you offer to us, and the ability I have to pause and receive it. Amen.

“God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God. For only we who believe can enter his rest.” Hebrews 4