Finding Rest and Belonging in God's Love

Summary

In a world that never seems to quiet down, where the demands of life can feel relentless and the pressure to do more is constant, it’s easy to feel stretched thin and alone. The noise isn’t just external—it’s the inner voices that keep us awake, telling us we must work harder, achieve more, and never let up. Many of us, like Sarah juggling single parenthood, a career, and caring for a parent, find ourselves simply surviving, doing “whatever it takes” just to get through the day. Yet beneath the adrenaline and drive, there is a deep weariness that comes from living in overdrive.

Into this noise, Jesus speaks with a voice that cuts through the chaos. In John 10, he reminds us that we are not defined by our achievements or our ability to keep pushing. Instead, we are known, seen, and held by the Good Shepherd. The promise is not about striving, but about belonging. Psalm 23 echoes this, assuring us that restoration comes not from grinding harder, but from being nurtured and cared for by God.

Too often, we resist this care, believing that rest is a luxury or that asking for help is weakness. But the invitation from Jesus is to stop, breathe, and let ourselves be carried for a while. True strength is not found in never letting up, but in knowing we are already enough, already loved, already held in grace.

On this Mothering Sunday, we honor all who nurture—mothers, grandmothers, adoptive and foster parents, godparents, teachers, mentors, neighbors, and chosen family. Their love, like that of Tabitha (Dorcas) in Acts, transforms lives and unites communities. We remember that mothering is not just about biology, but about the faithful work of showing up and caring for others, again and again.

As we leave and step back into the noise of life, may we remember that we are not alone. Whatever it takes to keep going, we are always held in the arms of grace. Let us nurture others with the same fierce and tender love that God shows us, living out that love in every act of care and compassion.

Key Takeaways

- The relentless noise of life—both external and internal—can drive us to exhaustion, convincing us that our worth is tied to our productivity and resilience. Yet, in the midst of this, Jesus offers a different voice: one that calls us to rest, to be seen, and to be known, not for what we do, but for who we are. This is a radical invitation to let go of striving and embrace belonging. [03:45]

- True restoration does not come from pushing ourselves harder, but from allowing ourselves to be nurtured and cared for by God. Psalm 23 reminds us that God restores our souls, not through our own effort, but through divine care. Accepting this care requires humility and trust, and it challenges the world’s narrative that rest is a weakness. [05:04]

- The call to nurture is not limited to mothers by biology, but extends to all who offer love, guidance, and presence to others. The story of Tabitha (Dorcas) in Acts shows that acts of compassion and service can transform communities and provide strength in times of need. Nurturing love is a sacred work that binds us together and reflects God’s heart. [07:39]

- Doing “whatever it takes” as people of faith is not about proving ourselves or running on empty, but about staying connected to grace, making space for rest, and asking for help when needed. True strength is found in recognizing our limits and allowing ourselves to be held by God’s love, rather than in relentless self-sufficiency. [09:36]

- As we honor those who nurture, we are reminded that every act of care—no matter how quiet or unseen—participates in the sacred work of love that sustains us all. Whether through raising children, mentoring youth, or simply offering a listening ear, we are invited to live out God’s love in tangible ways, trusting that we are always held in the arms of grace. [10:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:17] - Seed Packets: Sowing Love
[00:36] - The Noise of Modern Life
[01:10] - Living in Survival Mode
[01:27] - “Whatever It Takes” and Its Cost
[02:34] - Sarah’s Story: The Weight of Doing It All
[03:27] - Jesus, the Good Shepherd
[04:28] - The Promise of Belonging
[05:04] - Restoration Through God’s Care
[05:41] - The Nurse’s Story: Glimpses of Grace
[06:39] - Honoring All Who Nurture
[07:39] - Tabitha (Dorcas): Transformative Compassion
[08:14] - Jordan’s Home: Creating Safe Spaces
[09:16] - Rethinking “Whatever It Takes”
[10:17] - The Voice of the Shepherd
[10:53] - The Sacred Work of Love
[11:13] - Held in Grace: A Sending Prayer

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Held in Grace—The Sacred Work of Nurturing Love

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### Bible Reading

- John 10:27-29
“My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

- Psalm 23:1-3
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

- Acts 9:36-39
“Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity… All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them.”

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### Observation Questions

1. In John 10, what does Jesus say about his relationship with his sheep? What promises does he make to them? [04:05]
2. According to Psalm 23, what are some specific ways God cares for and restores us? [05:04]
3. What do we learn about Tabitha (Dorcas) in Acts 9, and how did her actions impact her community? [07:39]
4. The sermon mentions the “noise” of life and the pressure to do “whatever it takes.” What are some examples given of how this shows up in people’s lives? [02:34]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. What does it mean that Jesus’ promise is “not about striving, but about belonging”? How does this challenge the way people often measure their worth? [04:28]
2. Why do people sometimes resist God’s care and rest, according to the sermon? What beliefs or fears might be behind this resistance? [05:04]
3. How does the story of Tabitha (Dorcas) show that nurturing love is not limited to biological mothers? What does this say about the broader call to nurture others? [07:39]
4. The sermon contrasts the world’s idea of strength with Jesus’ idea of strength. What is the difference, and why does it matter for how we live? [09:56]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon describes the relentless “noise” of life, both external and internal. What are the main sources of noise in your own life right now? How do they affect your sense of peace and belonging? [00:54]
2. Have you ever felt like Sarah—doing “whatever it takes” just to get through the day? What are some signs that you might be running on empty? [02:34]
3. Jesus invites us to rest and let ourselves be cared for. What is one practical way you could accept God’s care this week, even if it feels uncomfortable or countercultural? [05:25]
4. The sermon honors all who nurture, not just mothers. Who in your life has shown you nurturing love, and how did it impact you? Is there someone you could thank or encourage this week? [06:57]
5. Tabitha’s acts of compassion transformed her community. What is one small, tangible act of care you could offer to someone in your circle this week? [07:58]
6. The world often tells us to be self-sufficient and never ask for help. Is there an area of your life where you need to ask for help or make space for rest? What would it look like to take that step? [09:36]
7. As you step back into the “noise” of daily life, what is one way you can remind yourself that you are “already enough, already loved, already held in grace”? [10:17]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for those who nurture, for those who feel weary, and for the courage to both give and receive God’s fierce and tender love in the week ahead.

Devotional

Day 1: The Shepherd Knows and Holds Us

In the midst of relentless noise and pressure, it is easy to feel unseen and alone, striving to prove our worth through constant effort. Yet, Jesus offers a different promise: He knows us intimately, calls us by name, and holds us securely, not because of our achievements but simply because we belong to Him. His voice cuts through the chaos, inviting us to rest in the assurance that we are already enough, already loved, and nothing can snatch us from His hand. [04:05]

John 10:27-29 (ESV)
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."

Reflection: Where in your life do you most need to hear and trust the Shepherd’s voice reminding you that you are already held and enough?


Day 2: Restoration Comes from Being Cared For

True restoration does not come from grinding harder or pushing through exhaustion, but from allowing ourselves to be nurtured and cared for by God. The world may tell us that rest is a luxury or that asking for help is weakness, but the Shepherd invites us to pause, breathe, and let ourselves be carried for a while. In surrendering to His care, our souls are restored and we find the strength to continue. [05:04]

Psalm 23:1-3 (ESV)
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

Reflection: What is one way you can let yourself be cared for by God or others this week, instead of pushing through on your own?


Day 3: Nurturing Love Transforms and Unites

Nurturing love is not limited to biological mothers but is embodied by all who offer comfort, guidance, and steadfast presence to others. The story of Tabitha (Dorcas) in Acts reminds us that acts of kindness and charity can transform lives and unite communities, especially when we care for the vulnerable and create spaces of belonging. Each act of nurturing love, no matter how small, is sacred work that strengthens and uplifts those around us. [07:39]

Acts 9:36-39 (ESV)
"Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, 'Please come to us without delay.' So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them."

Reflection: Who in your life could use a simple act of nurturing love from you this week, and how might you offer it?


Day 4: True Strength Is Found in Grace, Not Striving

The world equates strength with never letting up and always achieving more, but Jesus redefines strength as knowing we are already enough and held in love. Real strength is found not in proving ourselves or pushing until we are empty, but in staying connected to grace, making space for rest, and allowing ourselves to be restored. In God’s eyes, our worth is not measured by our productivity but by our belonging to Him. [09:56]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Reflection: What is one area where you feel pressure to prove yourself, and how can you invite God’s grace into that place today?


Day 5: Love That Reflects God’s Heart

To “do whatever it takes” as people of faith is not about adrenaline or obligation, but about choosing compassion that reflects God’s heart. Whether through nurturing, mentoring, or simply offering a listening ear, we are called to love in ways that heal, restore, and remind others they are seen and cherished. This sacred work of love sustains us all and is a living testimony to the grace we have received. [08:57]

1 John 4:11-12 (ESV)
"Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."

Reflection: How can you intentionally reflect God’s compassionate love to someone in your community today, especially someone who may feel unseen?

Quotes