Still Waters - by Elizabeth Reynolds

If you’re like me, you may find the difference between the tempestuous stormy sea of December and the still, quiet waters of January an interesting contrast. Maybe for some people, because of their professions, they’re not too different, but for most of us, January seems to be the calm after the storm. Or as I often call it, the dead month.

The end of the year and all the busy preparations that come with it mount up so fast, we barely have time to notice where we are and who we’re with. One weekend after the next of work dinners, kid’s breakups, school concerts, assemblies, Christmas lunches, and “hey it’s holidays now, we need to catch up with friends”, and “oh dear it’s Christmas in a week, I need to go shopping!”

Then after the festivities (and hopefully we’ve been able to remember Jesus in all of it), we come to a time of rest. Even for those whose jobs continue throughout the season, there is still the absence of school runs, through-the-week church events and other regular commitments. And I don’t know about you, but for me, it’s a huge sigh of relief!

We all need to rest at some stage. And we know that God created the world this way and set up the system – working hard and being productive… and then resting. He did this by setting out the pattern of a week in His creation project, and commanding that we keep one day holy – the Sabbath, for rest, reflection and worship.

For many of us, January can feel like a big, long Sabbath. Sure, we still have responsibilities, and we have to get things done, but there is a feeling of release from running around the little hamster wheel all year. So praise the Lord for January!

It strikes me that in Psalm 23 (as we heard all about at our recent ‘Kid’s Club Sunday’), David the Psalmist says that God makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. The word “makes” there is what stands out to me. Sometimes we must be made to rest. When being productive, it’s hard to know when to stop, (or we don’t want to). When we get on a roll with our work, we want to accomplish and accomplish until there’s nothing left – except there’s never nothing left, there is always work to be done, so in our foolishness, we could just go and go and go, but…

God makes use lie down. The shepherd knows when the sheep require green pastures. However, sheep will not lie down if they are afraid or anxious, if they’re hungry, or if there’s a problem among them.  And just like sheep, it’s hard for us to rest when we have pressures or difficulties, or when we’re worried about something. But God leads us to a place where we can rest. He guides us as well as making us lie down. Jesus said in John 14:27, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Not only does God make us rest, but He gives us the means to be able to rest, through His supernatural peace that transcends all understanding (Phil 4:7) He knows what we need, when we need it.

So if this is a quieter-than-usual month for you, consider January your green pasture. Your still waters. Use it as a time to reflect, to breathe in God’s peace, and to grow closer to Him. Ask Him to show you His love and care, and use the quietness to listen to His reply. Let the green pastures and still waters restore you and revive you. Verse 3 of the Psalm says He restores my soul. Now, this doesn’t only have to happen in January of course! But I feel like this is a good opportunity to remind ourselves of Who our shepherd is, and that He comforts us, provides for us, cares for us and restores us.

Perhaps I will stop calling January the dead month, and start calling it the alive month. The living month! As God restores life and energy where it had before been dwindling.

Praise God for January, and for the coming year.