by Dorette Saunders
Imagine our Creator designing and creating our marvelous world in six days. Nothing existed, and day by day, God spoke life forms into existence. Light. Sky. Land. Ocean. Vegetation. Animals. Then, he used his hands and breath to make humans. And finally, on Day 7, God did something that was every bit as important as his work on the previous days—God rested!
Do we really rest? If the truth be told, we rarely do. We may physically lay things aside, but our minds are in constant overdrive waiting to attack the next big task.
Rest…
For some, “rest” is a four-letter word. How can we rest when there is so much to do? And if we don’t do it, who will?
But rest is good for us. Not only does the pause rejuvenate our physical and mental well-being, but it allows us time to reflect on our spiritual relationship with God.
Time and again, as we read the Scriptures, we see where Jesus took time to be away from the pressure of ministry—preaching and healing—to be alone and rest in God’s presence, praying.
Listen to Jesus’ advice to his disciples after they returned from a short mission trip.
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place (Mark 6: 30-32, NIV).
Each of us needs time to shed the burden of work, whether at home or in the marketplace, and center ourselves with no other motivation but to find peace in the presence of God. This is resting with purpose.
Sometimes our busyness masks our lack of spiritual growth. We adopt the “keep so busy working for the Master” attitude that we “ain’t got time to die” or to live, or to study and strengthen our faith.
Busyness can indeed prevent us from receiving many of God’s blessings, including the spirit of discernment, which we need to properly make sound decisions.
Jesus invites us:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV).
And while Jesus is not speaking of a mere 10-15 minute respite, but a lifetime relationship with him, we can start by making a daily discipline of spending time alone with God—resting in God’s presence.
We will find that rest revives us. It deflates fear and anxiety; it gives us hope. Rest gives us time to recover from the onslaught of stress and reminds us that God is always in control and we can trust God to provide for our needs.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you who give peace that defies explanation, let me rest in your presence. Let me drink deeply of all that you would share. Refresh me in body, mind, and spirit. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
M©dytations 2024