The Secret Place
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I shall not be shaken. Psalm 62:5-6 (NIV)
Susanna Wesley was born in1669. She grew up in a privileged household as the daughter of a prominent minister in London. She was well-read and received a well-rounded informal education. In 1688, she married Samuel Wesley, an aspiring Anglican minister. Susanna and Samuel had a turbulent marriage. Samuel plunged the family into disrepute with his controversial political remarks and his imprisonment for reneging on his debt. Susanna’s life was fraught with other adversities and hardships – her family became the target of harassment and insults from the parishioners under Samuel’s care. Their home burnt down twice. She lost nine of the nineteen children in infancy, including two sets of twins.
Despite her adversities, she homeschooled her children, managed the household, and ran their small subsistence farm. The chaos of her busy household did not prevent her from scheduling two hours a day for Bible study and prayer. She would sometimes do this in an unorthodox way. She would sit in her favourite chair with her bible and throw her long apron over her head. This was the ‘prayer closet’ where she poured out her heart to God. Where she sought God’s face for strength and wisdom.
Place of Rest
We live in a chaotic world, and we get caught up in our work, family, social life, church life, the many things on our “To Do List”, and everything in between. We have well-meaning intentions to spend time with the Lord daily, but it just doesn't materialise. While we are busy navigating through the chaos, God is calling us to His secret place to find our rest in Him.
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 (NLT)
God calls us to the secret place because He is desirous of us. He wants to spend time with us. The question is, are we willing to take time out of our busy schedules to spend time with Him? Are we willing to do whatever it takes to meet with Him, even if it means “throwing our apron over our heads?” Wherever and whenever we choose to meet with God in that secret place, we can be assured that He will be there waiting for us in the midst of our chaos. He will be there waiting to quiet our hearts, our minds and our spirits so that we can find His rest. In that place of rest, we can exchange our fears and anxieties for His peace. We can exchange our weakness for His strength, grace and wisdom. We can pour out our hearts to Him and pray prayers that will move His heart and His hand.
Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 (NIV)
Reflection:
Will you take time to think about how you can heed God’s call to His secret place?
Prayer:
Lord, You see my busy and at times chaotic life. Help me, Lord, to be intentional about heeding Your call to enter Your secret place so that I can find rest for my soul. In Jesus’ name, amen.
