Covenant relationship looks like this: if I give of myself to take care of my covenant partner, tending to their needs and desires; and they give themselves to caring for me, we are both satisfied! We love well. We have mutual joy. There will be no no lack, no sorrow, no striving. God’s definitions of what brings the soul to rest, such as safety, provision, nurture, and love — are all met in this kind of relationship.

I’ve learned this more than once in my walk with God, especially when we needed move to the Texas coast to be near my parents for their care. Moving across the state meant we had to locate a new home. I wanted to go spend all effort and time finding it NOW. However, “life” kept happening, and getting in the way! People kept needing things that stopped us from going at our house search full speed ahead.

I stewed and fretted some, while the Lord occasionally reassured me He had already secured a home for us.

I believed, yet still, in all honesty, it was hard to focus my attention on anything but finding that new home, until one day the Spirit dropped these words into my spirit:

“Be about my business, and I will be about yours.”

The Lord has a way of saying the one thing that changes everything! I wish I had a dollar for every time the Lord has revealed that it isn’t people or circumstances I am pushing against, it is Him!

The Lord reminded me one more time that I could REST concerning our great need, because He was at work securing everything for us to relocate. Meanwhile, He needed me to be about His business in a wholehearted way, tending to the people he wanted to love on through us.

Reciprocal covenant love and care.

What a perfect relationship this is, this reciprocal covenant love and care. It nips selfishness and self-centeredness in the bud. Joy nearly always comes when you give of yourself to someone else. One may find some pleasure in giving themselves what they need, but nothing like the pure joy of giving oneself for others.

While we waited for our whole lives to be moved and rearranged, tending to my Father’s business produced joy, and rest, and hope, and fruitfulness in me. It was a good season, and my heart relaxed into being fully present for the people in our lives. The Lord was served, the people on His heart were served, and He did indeed secure for us the most delightful, perfect home here on the coast.

It all came together in just the right time, and I hate to think of what we might have “settled for” in our own impatience and striving! I am so glad we did not, that the Spirit of the Lord gave us the grace to rest in His promise as well as what He asked of us in those days.

Be about the Good Lord’s business, and He will always be about yours. That is covenant faithfulness, covenant care, covenant love. That is taking care of business, God’s way.

Want to read more about this topic? Go to Tonia’s post, A Fast From Selfishness.