God was dealing with me in church recently. There was a holy disruption to the traditional structure of the service as The Holy Spirit interrupted the worship portion of service. God’s Presence was tangible, warm and settled in the sanctuary. Many around me were standing with raised hands, others were singing, and many were uttering praises exclaiming worship to God. I sat still. Tears ran down my face. I have often joined the rest of the congregants in praising aloud, standing with arms wide open. This time, I needed to be quiet. I needed to invite the Lord to speak over me. My shoulders physically felt heavy. My heart was overwhelmed. I prayed silently, “Lord, do You even see me?” 

Let me give you a little background context. I had been feeling weighed down by responsibilities and felt unseen by my children. After all, we just celebrated Mother’s Day a few weeks back and I didn’t even get a card from them. In all fairness and to their credit, we did spend the weekend together, played competitive games, ate out, had family time, and enjoyed the movies. It was really great company. BUT… I like cards. What can I say? I’m a words-of-affirmation chick and I wanted a small written token of affection and a cute mom coffee mug.  This did not diminish their company at all or the gifts of their laughter, presence, and hugs. Yet as the weekend came to a swift close and the routine of the next week ensued —  You know, the getting up early, racing off to school and work, football training pick-ups, cooking dinners, paying school fees, etc.  — I was exhausted at the thought.  I wondered if they even understood the weight I carried. Motherhood is not for the faint of heart. Mothers are therapists, strategists, planners, chauffeurs, nurses, cooks, hostesses, referees (for multiple children), liaisons, advocates, intercessors, protectors and so much more. 

Separate from my parenting duties, I was drained by work, balancing 2 jobs, not including this blog and personal business, household chores, and I gained 10 lbs in the last several months! My maternal grandmother died on my recent birthday. Days set aside for celebration were now tainted with grief and burnout. So I sat still in church with tears as I heard the Lord softly say: “I see You, Jamie even when others don’t. You do matter. Your efforts matter to me”. I hadn’t realized I was clenching my arms and fists as they were in my lap until I heard God say: “Give it all to me.” I exhaled aloud.  My shoulders felt lighter. I took a few deep breaths, noting every rise and fall of my shoulders and observing the filling and emptying of my lungs. I took in the breath of God’s Word. His Words are life to my dry bones, my overwhelmed heart, my worn out body. He sees me. Sometimes I forget, but nothing gets by God. The work we do unto the Father is honored by Him. He sees our faithfulness. He sees our slip-ups. He sees it all. Yet He still loves us and pours out His affirming Words. 

Then I recalled this scripture: Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’.” (Matthew 4:4, NIV).

The context of this Scripture is when Jesus was fasting and the devil approached Him to tempt Him. This was right before the major start to His preaching ministry – the reason for which Jesus came.  Jesus actually was quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, which was when Moses was reminding and admonishing the Children of Israel to not forget God and to walk in obedience, citing many miracles that God provided them throughout their wilderness experience. Jesus was in His own wilderness and recalled this scripture. 

The Greek word for “word” in Matthew 4:4 is  rhéma.¹  This word is commonly used in the New Testament “for the Lord speaking His dynamic, living word in a believer to inbirth faith.”² As it pertains to me, God acknowledged my position and He highlighted His. He was there with me. He was there to help me. He sees me. Older saints I know would refer to God as a Burder-bearer and Heavy Load-sharer. I think I get it now. God’s tangible provision is not all to my life. In fact, it was by God’s Words that He created the world and all we see and experience today (“Then God said let there be…”– Genesis 1). Jesus Christ is The Living Word (John 1: 1-4). ³ 

I literally find my life in God’s Word over my life. Why? Because God loves me enough to pursue me? How? His Words bear and bring forth faith in me, demonstrated by a greater trust and reliance on Him. He is the fundamental foundation for which my life rests. This applies to you also. God loves you that much to be there with you through all of life’s challenges and struggles. I invite you to lay down your burdens at His feet. Get still in His Presence. There is rest for you!

Practical Steps:

1. Visualization exercise: Close your eyes. Imagine yourself before your Heavenly Father carrying all the things that worry you and create anxiety for you. Picture yourself laying those things down at the feet of God. How does your body feel at the thought of releasing it? How do you feel emotionally? What are the thoughts running through your mind (if any) with said release?

2.  Journal and write down what you hear God say about you. What Words does He use as He speaks over you? Look up Scriptures that affirm your identity in Christ.

Footnotes:

¹  Rhéma, meaning word, saying, utterance, matter especially of narration, command or dispute.” Lexical summary & Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance (Bible Hub website)

² HELPS Word-studies (Bible Hub website)

³ Jesus is the logos (in Greek), the “the personal (hypostatic) wisdom and power in union with God, his minister in the creation and government of the universe, the cause of all the world’s life both physical and ethical, which for the procurement of man’s salvation put on human nature in the person of Jesus the Messiah and shone forth conspicuously from his words and deeds.” Thayer’s Greek Lexicon & Strong’s NT (Bible Hub website)