How Rested Are You? … It’s an important question to God.
“Because we do not rest we lose our way … poisoned by the hypnotic belief that good things come only through unceasing determination and tireless effort, we can never truly rest. And for want of rest our lives are in danger.” – Wayne Muller
“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15)
We live in a culture that endlessly cries for more … more … more! When is enough? When is your day or week over? When have you given or done enough?
Often it seems that those with the best hearts, the most caring and giving, are the most exhausted. In the Kingdom this should not be. Jesus offers us His life and His way of life – a life that relies on the power of the Spirit and the will of the Father – a life where rest is one of the primary things on the agenda. Jesus came that we might have life and have it to the full. (John 10:10) But this does not always mean more; often it means less. It means godliness with contentment, which is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6)
If we focus our lives upon God and obeying His will, we will find rest because it is one of His primary commands. We are designed to take time to rest before the Lord every day – and thus we see that Jesus was often found alone with His Father early in the morning. We are designed to take multiple breaks every day to rest and encounter God – that is why we pray at meals. You can also take 3-5 minute rests in God throughout the day – quieting your heart, taking a few slow, deep breaths and being with your Father in heaven wherever you are. We are designed to worship and rest together on a weekly cycle. These are not striving work efforts that must be added to our busy schedules, they are gifts from God around which the rest of our lives are to hang.
Chances are you feel somewhat exhausted today – it is a pandemic problem today. But, you can find rest – as a matter of fact we can find rest together as the people of God. Throughout history one of the marks of God’s people has been structured and planned rest. You can receive Jesus’ invitation to enter His deep rest for your soul. (Matthew 1:28-30) This kind of rest, however, doesn’t just mysteriously happen; it must be actively received and appropriated like all other Kingdom principles. You simply need to intentionally choose and plan for rest with your heavenly Father. Will you choose rest today, and make it practical? God will restore your soul.
Resting with you,
Pastor Tom
tgriffith@rolcboston.org
