In a chaotic world of deadlines and schedules, I believe that many of us tend to forget to slow down. We long for rest, though we pile on more responsibilities rather than laying them at the foot of the cross. Now, it would do us well to have some quiet time with Our Savior, but how? Where exactly does "resting in God" fit within our hourly schedules?
Well, that's the thing - it doesn't. It is our job to choose to take a break, be silent, and give God our burdens, regardless of our schedules. You don't have time for rest? I don't believe that for a moment. I've heard it say that you always have the time - if you cannot do a certain task, it is because it was not made a priority. You didn't take the time (that you do indeed have) and assign it to such a task. This is why we fail to find rest.
Make quiet time with God a priority. Find rest in Him every day, for it is the one thing that can ease the burden of the over-active lives we live.
"Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest," (Matthew 11:28).
Rest in His love - overwhelming and unconditional love. In the place where you are always cared for, always accepted. Rest in the arms which always pursue you. The arms which never let go, no matter how far you push away. The arms which picked you up when you were broken, brushed you off and sent you on your way, persuading, "you are meant for so much more than this."
More importantly, rest in the promises of God.
Isaiah 40:29,
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."
Isaiah 43:2, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."
John 10:27-28, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."
These are only a few, but God promises us so many amazing things: strength, protection, love, security. The list finds no end. This is where we find true rest, in the confidence that God has and will fulfill His promise "to meet all [of our] needs according to His glory..." (Phil. 4:19).
I urge you to find rest in Our God today - trust Him to take care of things while you seek Him in the silence of true rest. Find a quiet place and spend time in prayer and in God's word - you will be wonderfully restored.
One more thought I leave you with: rest is only a recharge, not a residence. As wonderful as quiet, alone time with God is, we must soon return to our daily lives. For we are called to a purpose - to go out into a dark world and shine light. Light that can cast out darkness.
Though we cannot fulfill this purpose if we fear the world and hide in our prayer closets and quiet rooms. Rest is not a residence. It is an opportunity to be recharged daily as Our Savior pours into us the courage and knowledge we need to face a world that is often too harsh.
Find rest. Then, run boldly into a dark world that needs just a little bit more light.
