Ecclesiastes 11:3 - A Place To Lie Down

Step 1: Pray. Select.

This morning, as I sat down at my desk to pray and journal, I began to stare at a painting a friend of mine, a tremendously talented artist, painted and gifted to me many years ago. I had looked at the painting many times before, but today, I saw something I had never seen before.

It is an abstract painting of a girl whose neck, face, and shoulders are yellow, and as you move upward to her hair, it turns bright green. There is a scripture hidden in the painting: Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. The background consists of blue abstract raindrops falling behind the girl.

As I followed the drops that fell upon her shoulders, I realized—the neck and shoulders that lead up to the green hair—that this girl is symbolic of a tree. She looks like a normal, beautiful girl in the painting, but as you look deeper, she is being watered by God’s living rain, which grows her and flourishes her beauty.

I began researching scriptures that applied to the words tree and rain in the Bible when I came to Ecclesiastes 11:3.

This is where my journey began today, friends.

Step 2: Write. Read. Circle

Ecclesiastes 11:3 - If the clouds are full of rain, They empty themselves upon the earth; And if a tree falls to the south or the north, In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie.

After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:

• Full Of Rain

• A Tree Falls

• In The Place

• It Shall Lie

Step 3: Re-Write

With a focus on the words that stood out, here is the personalized sentence that came alive in my heart. Don't forget, if you are doing this alongside me today, make sure to add your name to your unique sentence:

• Jennifer, full of rain, a tree falls in the place it shall lie.

Step 4: Visualize

The Holy Spirit tells me that, like the painting I described in the intro, I need to look beyond what I see. I have had this painting hanging in my home for a long time, but have I ever really looked at it?

God is asking me to start seeing things not with my eyes but with my spirit. Please pay attention to the world around me and see how it moves. Is it in bondage, or does it move in freedom and joy? Am I anxious, or am I healed and provided for?

The Holy Spirit tells me I must look through things to shift my perspective and see how God is watering me every day in the background. He is doing so much more than we realize. The only reason we do not see everything he is actively doing is because we are not as great as he is. We would be overwhelmed if we took in the amount of orchestration happening all around us. He, being gracious, is giving us bite-sized chunks to chew on because the master orchestrator sees all things. And all things within our grasp that he places into our hands can be done through Christ Jesus, who strengthens us.

The Holy Spirit now draws my attention to the tree, heavy with rain falling into place, mentioned in the scripture and my sentence. I think about this for a moment. God so graciously doesn’t flood the tree; he provides raindrops to water it and gently shifts the soil to allow it to lie down and rest while He strengthens the roots. He doesn’t overwhelm the tree with rushing water to wash it away, potentially killing it and not providing a firm foundation.

Friends, let us not get caught up in getting a miracle or blessing rushed to us like express mail. Rather, let us focus on the raindrops that allow us to grow so we can lie down on his strength and enter our rightful inheritance with rich soil that will always bear fruit.

I have a question, so I move to Step 5.

Step 5: Ask. Seek

The question that came to mind is:

• Holy Spirit, I have to admit, at times like these, where I have looked at this painting for over a decade now, I feel a little foolish about how limited my perspective has been. How can I go forward wiser when looking at the things I encounter today?

Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive

Here is the answer I received:

"I think this alone was a shock or a wake-up call. This week, it appears the LORD has been trying to wake you up because he is working on your behalf even when you can’t see. At the right time, he will reveal his plans. But you must be willing to walk behind and see through Jesus in order to see his perspective. Continue your studies, for you are still just a student of the great I AM and should find peace in the fact you always be. You are becoming a disciple and starting to cross over with the understanding that things are not always what you see. Even after all this time, you thought you were maturing, but there is still so much to learn. Do not focus on the magnitude of information. Didn’t you learn that by reading the book of Genesis? Eve wanted to know what it would be like to be like God, with all his knowledge, once the serpent presented the option. But this was all a lie. No one, including the serpent, knew what being the most high God was like. No one’s equipped to carry His level of glory that comes with covering an equal amount of hardship and pain. There is only one who is the great I AM. So, let go and let your Father guide you in his ways, and when the time is right, you will graduate to a level of understanding that will allow you to be comfortable where he has placed you, and he will let you lie down to rest.”

Step 7: Pray. Confirm

Heavenly Father, I come to you humbled through your son, Jesus.

I realize there are so many things around me I simply do not understand, but with time, you will reveal them. Help me see things through the eyes of Jesus so I only see what you want me to see and carry what you determine I am meant to carry.

Help me rest and not stress about my future. In your promises, let me focus on the fact that you love me and will always provide and care for my every need.

Thank you for spending time with me today and for sending the Holy Spirit as your messenger. I am so honored to be in your presence, and I long for you more and more every day.

I seal this prayer with the blood of Jesus. Thy will be done - Amen!

If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.

Step 8: Share. Testify

If you workshopped any of the verses mentioned above using the 8-Step Prayer Practice, we would love to hear from you in the comments below about what the Holy Spirit showed or spoke to you today.

Remember to spread hope and share your miracle or testimony HERE. We want to see how God is working in your life!

Conclusion:

Friends, today I am learning. I have just begun to see things that have been in front of me all along.

I am excited and eagerly waiting to continue to have God continue to reveal my daily bread, daily. Not sooner or later, in His perfect time.

I am beyond grateful for him sending Jesus to teach us his ways.

I thank God for the raindrops in my life. Each one is life-giving and just enough to grow me on the firm foundation he has planted me in.

Have a beautiful Jesus-filled perspective wherever you go today - God bless your journey.