When Trust Leans In

When was the last time you leaned against someone you love?

   Not just propping against them for fun or because you're tired.

      But leaning in for the sole purpose of just BEING.

As a little girl, I remember how loved, cherished and safe I felt when I climbed into Dad's lap and leaned against his chest.

Sometimes he would ask me simple questions like, "Did you have a good day at school, blondie curls?" or "What's on your mind, sweetheart?"

Sometimes we didn't talk at all. I'd just lean in. And he would put his arm around me and let me. I could hear his steady heartbeat.

Sometimes it would lull me to sleep.

I think Dad treasured those times as much as I did, because he understood that for those precious moments, I didn't want to be anywhere else except right there with him.

John, one of Jesus' twelve disciples, understood leaning in first hand. But he didn't lean against his own dad. He leaned against the Father's Son:

"Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved." John 13:23 (KJV)

That picture speaks volumes about complete trust. Both from John and Jesus.

The word translated bosom (kolpos) means literally the front of the body between the arms.  It's the place where our heart is most vulnerable. In that intimate place, we let our guard down. Relax. Breathe deeply.

Leaning into Jesus is exactly where He wants us.

  He died to make us whole.

      Great sacrifice elicits great trust.

On days when life knocks me around, I walk into my home, sit in my favorite chair, and simply lean back in silent prayer. In those moments, I picture myself leaning against Jesus.

I sit still and just breathe.

And hear His gentle whispers as His Word floods my mind.

In this life, the winds of adversity blow hard. Winter seasons of hurt can cover our hearts like frostbite. We try to rely on our own strength. To stand straight and tall alone. But we don't have to.

So before your knees buckle under the strain, lean into the Rock of Ages.

To hear His heartbeat.

   To regain equilibrium.

      To feel His secure assurance that He's your shield and fortress.

Jesus treasures those times we lean into Him. He created us to long for that vulnerable, intimate relationship. It's the only place where we find our immeasurable worth and eternal security.

Trust ... it's all in the leaning.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

In this season of your life, who or what are you leaning into?

Photo from here.

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