I have been told I am part of the sleepless elite, a small percentage of people who can thrive on 5 hours or less, and I am very efficient in using my extra time efficiently packing everything I can possibly fit. I am the one staying up late chatting and waking up early to run. Ask me to play a card games or go out for a night of fun and I will always agree. Lately, I have discovered how real emotional exhaustion is and have been reminded that we not only need physical rest but emotional rest as well. This past weekend I was convicted into taking time to rest…that is hard when there are 24 other people doing different things, planning different excursions and talk about impossible to find a place of solitude. However, God provided like always. I did go on an excursion…but ended up being the escape I needed. Who knew a long van ride, through a tsunami, downpour and the longest roller coaster ride of a dirt road I have ever experienced would lead to the perfect oasis for rest. A small group of us ended up at a surfer’s hostel right on the coast of the Pacific where we camped out for the night and enjoyed the solitude. What a change of pace this environment made; getting lost in the peaceful, lax life of a surfer off the grid.
Finally, warm sun, a cool breeze, stillness in the air and the pulsing sound of the waves crashing the shore created my space for rest. Nature is where I find God. His presence is made know to me through the sand between my toes as I walk along the water’s edge as the sun is coming up. The light breeze tickles my arms and sends chills down my spine as He whispers His promises to me. “I am with you, just be in my presence.”
He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
~Psalm 23:2-3
At first I thought this little getaway would be a great time to hear from God and figure out my next step, what I need to work on and figure out what He is calling me into. But I just got frustrated on not hearing His voice clearly, I let my mind fight and struggle and wander until I came to the realization He just wanted me to rest. He wanted me to rest in His comfort and enjoy the present, the here and now and all the blessings surrounding me.
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him.
~Psalm 37:7
Once I had this realization I let go and it was the best thing for my mind. Emotional and spiritual rest. Letting my Father in Heaven care for His daughter. He loves my desires to grow and search for more but also reminded me that He is in control and His timing is perfect…we can’t rush His perfect plan for our lives. He knows when we are ready and will prepare us accordingly; we just have to be able to give away that control.
There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
~Hebrews 4:9-11
Where is your place of rest? Where does God meet you?
Update: Headed to Honduras this weekend…hopefully. The tropical storms have produced lots of water blocking a few of our travel roads. We are stuck for an extra day in Antigua (oh darn). lol
