With finals rolling around, adult life slowly creeping in, and hard things hitting us every minute from every angle with relentless force; I see so much striving and hardly any resting.
In this day and age, we have lost the meaning of true rest, of genuine stillness. Compared to a sprint, our “rest” is slowing down to a brisk jog. Believers are stretching themselves trying to be successful in every area of life, while attempting to shine a light that isn’t theirs to shine, and trying to keep the fire inside for Jesus burning bright.
I see the people I love (along side myself) running the race of faith with great enthusiasm, making great strides, and growing at such enormous rates, but we often are running so fast and striving so hard to be perfect that before we know it, we’re lying face down on the pavement wondering, “what the heck just happened?!” “how did I get here?” and, “why do I feel like I am literally dying?!” Doesn’t Isaiah 40:31 say “but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint?!” If so, why am I so exhausted? My strength is supposed to be renewed! What is happening? I am supposed to “soar on wings like eagles,” but I am feeling more like a dog being dragged on the leash.
Well, I missed something. And I think we all miss it far too often. While running the race with such passion and stride, we miss the GIANT sign in bright red letters written by Jesus saying, “BUT THEY WHO WAIT for the LORD…” They who WAIT will be renewed.
Exodus 14:14 says, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." Be still. Come and rest. We need a break. We need time to come before Jesus, hand over our struggles, and let Him fight our battles, as we simply take in His restoration. I need Him to fight for me in my stress of school, in my growing relationships, and in my soul. I need Jesus to wage war on the desires wreaking havoc within me, and He says He will!!! His only condition to fight for me is to be still and wait. Woah, that’s awesome, and I’m not the only one who needs to hear it.
I know I need time to crawl inside the blanket fort of Jesus’ comfort and on top of the pillow pile of Jesus’ love and rest in order to be restored.
Our natural human instinct is to keep pushing, running, and progressing, until we have almost passed out from exhaustion, but here Jesus is telling us to cease our work, be still, and let Him fight.
For those facing finals, I encourage you to relinquish your desire to strive, and let Him fight. Put the books down, pray over what you have studied, and go to bed.
For those trying to be everything to everyone, you can’t. Take a look at what all you’re being asked to do, ask yourself how much you would ask of others, do that, and tell everything else “no” or “later.” It’s okay.
As for those facing things like relationships, graduation exams, addiction, mental illness, brokenness and things that hold enormous, lifelong weight, Jesus can carry that, too. He can fight for you, too. Do what you know you can, and give the rest to Jesus. Then run to Him (or crawl, I find myself crawling a lot) and hide in the blanket fort of His word until you have the strength to stand again.
God longs to fight for us, but first, we must be still.
Praying for you as you face your races, and look for rest stops.
Let me know HOW I can be praying!
Much love. Many blessings.
SammiBelle
