Rest (r
st) n. Relief or freedom from disquiet or disturbance.
The Lord has been teaching me about rest lately, actually for a while now. Last month, Rachel showed us a blog from a former World Racer that was calling future and current racers out of a false concept of rest. Here it is: http://danielstinson.theworldrace.org/?filename=how-to-get-the-most-of-your-world-race-or-life-in-general-part-2.
World Racers, we are on an amazing experience, an epic journey. We are following the call of the Almighty, reaching the nations. There are so many chances for the Lord to reach us, to speak to us, giving us opportunities to share His kingdom, divine meetings with people and moments of spiritual epiphany. Why are we missing them by complaining how tired we are? Yes, we travel from place to place every month. Yes, our 9-5 is more of a 12-12. Yes, our work is serving and giving. How awesome is that?! Are we tired because of a lack of sleep? Really? Or are we tired because we are pouring out the living word, but failing to fill back up? When you turn a fan off, it is still going to spin for a little bit, running off of “leftover energy”, but it won’t do what it is meant to do until it is plugged back into it’s power source and having a continual flow of energy.
For all of you in America, this is true too. You might not have the same excuses, but the problem is still there. We say we don’t have time to read the Bible or that we are too busy to preach the Gospel. I have seen village people that walk miles for their water twice a day, then cook meals for their families on open coals, boiling their water to bathe in, taking care of animals, gardens, children AND having time for hours of quiet time and leading a church. We have no idea what it means to be busy! Yes we have jobs, yes we commute, yes we have families, but there is always time for God. As Christians we NEED to be filled on His word daily, if not more. We need to not only sit and read, but to rest in the word, meditating on it. Our strength comes from the Lord, so why are we living in weakness?
I am reading through Hebrews right now and have been learning a lot about the Lord’s rest, especially in chapters 3 and 4. Hebrews 4:1 “Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.” Not only be resting in the Lord, but to be resting in the Lord to our FULLEST potential!
What does it mean to “rest in the Lord”?? I know, ‘Christianese’ and common cliches get in the way for me too.
1. Not worrying about tomorrow or things to come.
Matthew 6 is a big chapter for me and it has to deal all about worry. If we are resting in the Lord then we are taking part of the full potential of today and not thinking about the future and the worries that has. Matthew 6:34 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
2. Give it all to the Lord
When we are faced with certain issues and decisions we sometimes take it upon ourselves to “fix” the problem, without listening to what plans Christ may have for us. If I had my way, I would be in Africa, doing the Peace Corp and about to head back to California to finish my MBA, but God had a different plan. When we ‘give it to God’, we don’t have a say in what the outcome will be or a say in when we will get it. The only choice we have is to wait and to rest.
3. LISTEN
We need to listen to what the Lord is saying to us. I believe the Lord is living, active, a part of my life in which I have a personal relationship. Therefore, I believe that the almighty God is speaking to me through His Holy Spirit that was given to us when Christ died upon the cross. It isn’t an audible “DOOOO THIIIIIIIIS” or a literal slap on the wrist when I’m doing something bad, but rather a feeling/idea that lines up with His will, that is followed by confirmation. I know some people will read this and think I am insane, because I believe the creator of Earth speaks to me, but so be it. The Lord has a will for your life and He is going to share that with you, if you listen. We listen by reading our Bibles and deciphering the verses and by resting, quiet, breathing, listening.
4. Be inspired!
I don’t know about you, but when I am listening to a great sermon or really having a great quiet time I am inspired! I think a main part of being filled is that inspiration, the excitement of following Jesus! As more of Christ’s character is revealed to me, the more I hunger to know more, the more inspired I am to tell people and to take action to spread the Kingdom. When I am inspired, I am filled and that excitement is contagious. It pours out around me and infects others. It is so good.
5. Peacefulness
Peacefulness, in this context, is more of a peace of mind than an atmospheric peacefulness. God doesn’t promise peace and all around happiness, but He does promise goodness and that is a promise we can rest in and feel peaceful about. When we are abiding in His will, there is a peacefulness that comes about with it, a peacefulness that is restful. We don’t have to fret about what is good or bad or if what we did had consequences because we know that it is good. The Lord never fails, His promises are the most secure foundation we have.
This isn’t a comprehensive list on what the Lord’s rest looks like, but just some thoughts I’ve had for the past week or so; things I had been learning. To read more about the rest, check out Deuteronomy, the first few chapters of Joshua and the first four chapters of Hebrew. Also, the story of Peter walking on water in Matthew 14.
Just like Ezekial prophesied the breath of life on to the dry bones, giving them flesh and life. We are to inhale the spirit of the Lord and exhale life onto his people. A poetic way to say it, but I love poetry. We are to pour out life, but we need to fill up first. In Mathew, 11: 28 and 29 Jesus says “Come unto me, all ye weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
