What is rest? This is a question the Lord has been uncovering the answer to during this season of the Race.
We hear the word rest and we take a deep sigh of relief. We persevere through studying for an exam, sitting through a difficult conversation or pushing ourselves through a difficult morning workout because we see the reward at the end: rest.
In our world, rest is the relieving of responsibility; rest is a break from the chaos that we see in work, relationships and our own checklists for the day. Rest is a chance to recharge, regain strength and relax. In our world, rest is a reward we receive once we’ve met our goal; for us, rest is temporary and shortly replaced with more expectations and work.
When it comes to God, however, rest is so much more. Rest that comes from God isn’t fleeting – His rest is an eternal promise.
As I mentioned in my last blog, I was asked a few weeks ago to step down as my squad’s logistics coordinator. The reason? It’s time for me to rest. When I heard this, I was a bit taken aback and confused – I get around 8 hours of sleep a night, spend time with the Lord every day, always bring my triumphs and struggles to Him and take a step back when I feel the job is becoming a little too burdensome; I’m getting plenty of rest! As the week went on however, and I received feedback upon feedback from teammates telling me I need to rest, I started to revisit my definition of what this word actually means.
After a few revelations, I want to share the new definition of rest that I’ve uncovered:
Rest: actively allowing Jesus to be enough in all circumstances.
Reflecting back on the moments of my Race, even of my life, that lead me to stress and exhaustion, are the moments where I’ve tried to take control. In moments where I don’t let God’s plan be enough, I create my own burdens.
Rest doesn’t come from me or the space I create for myself – rest comes from Him. Suddenly rest transformed into a gift I was given – not a treat I have to reward myself with; how cool is that?!
The Lord has revealed a slew of truths to me since this revelation and is showing me areas of my life where I haven’t given Him control. And through relinquishing those areas to Him, I’m experiencing more and more of the freedom that comes from rest.
Instead of doubting, I’m learning to let go and trust Him. Instead of seeking affirmation from those around me, I’m learning to accept the affirmation I’ve received from the Lord; and instead of trying to fix problems and create harmony in my community, relationships, and the lives of people around me, I’m learning (key word: LEARNING) to relinquish control, trusting that prayer is enough; His plan is always enough.
I’d be lying if I said I’ve found the solution for completely avoiding burnout and exhaustion; every day involves the active decision to turn to the Lord and give Him my stress and my burdens and some days, I choose to keep those burdens for myself. But in the days that I do hand over to the Lord, I experience so much freedom! There’s a weightlessness and joy that comes from giving all of my burdens and responsibilities to the Lord, trusting that He’ll take them and make something beautiful; it’s called rest. And as I walk into this new season of rest on the last four months (!!) of my Race, of a release of responsibility and leadership, I know it’s not a temporary rest I’m receiving: it’s the opportunity to discover the depth of a foundational trust that God will always be enough.
“Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
