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Rest


There comes a time when we must rest.

Physically, we have no problem understanding this. Surely, we have all been to the place where the effort of putting one foot in front of the other seemed impossible, when we fall asleep as soon as we sit down. So tired that we can feel every bone with their individual aches. Rest is the only thing that will help us, restore us.

By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done. Genesis 2:2-3.



Emotionally, it's a little harder. The things that drain us emotionally--stress related to family, finances, whatever--is not so easily shut off, lingering with us during what should be our restful times. What should I do? How can I manage that? Will I ever get this done? These questions and others torment us even during our sleep.

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.

Then, there is spiritual rest. The rest that requires us to let go.


All adopted children of God have a burden to fix it, to make things better, to bring in wandering sheep before they are lost forever. It's our job, and we should do it with enthusiastically, passionately, even fanatically. We can't do it continually without resting, without renewing our spirit and our physical health.


Jesus, the Savior, the Word made flesh, had to rest. He knew what a few hours of sitting by the lake or walking in the mountains could do.

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Matthew 13:1


After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Matthew 14:23


Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them." Revelation 14:13

It's okay. Let it go.

Comments

  1. TipperJanuary 26, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    A great post-in this busy troublesome life we all need to be reminded to rest in all the ways we need too : )

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 5, 2011 at 5:39 PM

    I love your writings. I found it interesting that we have several connections: we both used the same template for our blog; we both have northern Alabama connections; we both teach at the university level in Education; we both love the LORD Jesus Christ! GIGATTAATTGIG

    ReplyDelete

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