SHOWDOWN AT HIGH NOON

I had a tough day last week. Maybe some of you can relate. It was a dry, dusty, hot day; so dry the trees were bribin' the dogs and hotter than a stolen tamale. It had been a hard morning and by noon I found myself smack dab in a showdown. Body tensed, legs balanced astride, arms bowed out, hands stretched, and taunt and at the ready, guns strapped to my side, holster unbuttoned, ready for the draw. It was almost high noon and I was at the disadvantage with the sun stinging in my eyes. Sweat rolled down my forehead and into my squinting eyes, obscuring my vision of the cool, composed, hardened gunslinger I was facing. It was only a matter of minutes’…showdown at high noon.

I’m thinking many of you are saying, "I’ve been there." The rest of you are thinking poor Cindy, she has REALLY lost her mind. But let me paint you another picture. It won’t be as colorful, but it will be the same.

I had a tough day last week. Maybe some of you can relate. I couldn’t seem to ‘find’ God in my quiet time or in my prayers. I know God isn’t about ‘feelings’ but I was thirsty, that is for some eternal water. I was tired from lack of sleep, congested, over-whelmed and getting nothing done. It was a hot day and this heat just served to make me feel worse. By noon things were just out of control. Nothing was getting done with school, the house was a disaster, I felt far from everyone in my home, a distance that I’m sure was my fault, and I was feeling sicker than ever. I was stressed, taunt, and ready to do something! It was only a matter of minutes'…showdown at high noon.

Well let me share what God did show me…

Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon…Song of Songs 1: 7

A good shepherd cares for his flock. In the hot time of day, high noon, a shepherd will lead his flock by the still waters and to cool refreshing shade. He knows what is best for them and realizes the hottest time of day is best spent in REST.

But where are you at high noon? When troubles are at their worst, affliction is all around, you have outward troubles and inward conflict, what are you doing? Are you having a showdown with your troubles, hoping to beat disaster to the draw? Are you running around, looking for a way out? Or are you following the voice and direction of your Shepherd who knows best? He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Psalm 23: 2 Our Shepherd calls out to us to rest in the heat of the day offering us both refreshment and rest.

Trust the Good Shepherd today. He loves you. He knows what is best for you. His ways are not our ways. When troubles abounds, yield to Him. Labor to enter His rest. He will carry you in His arms.

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40: 11

Resting in Jesus,

Cindy

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