Rest….how does THAT word fit into all the Christmas busyness? Do you ever find yourself longing for the days when someone was telling you it was nap time?
To take a break and rest is something that few of us do in the midst of the Christmas season or anytime for that matter. A rest. Truly our souls are desperately crying out for a rest! Does rest only happen when we find time to take a vacation?
The reason that our souls are crying out for rest is that it is God’s heart as well, to give us rest and peace. It is God’s desire and will to give us that much-needed rest. In Hebrews 4 we read that as God desired to give people a rest but they could not get it! They just could not take time to rest. I think God was talking about something more than a nap or vacation. I think He was talking about an attitude of heart, mind and soul. Discovering a way to rest in God as well as finding time for our bodies to rest.
I loved this quote “Christ’s “rest” is not a “rest” from work, but in work, “not the rest of inactivity but of the harmonious working of all the faculties and affections—of will, heart, imagination, conscience—because each has found in God the ideal sphere for its satisfaction and development” J. Patrick
I have asked God for that type of rest, a rest of trust and peace in who and what He is and in His deep love for me. It doesn’t come with inactivity but in peace. A dear friend of mine posted on her Facebook wall
“You don’t have to attend every argument you are invited to”.
I found that nugget after an interesting experience that morning and could not agree with it more.
I found myself on the freeway in a lane of traffic that had to end and merge into a lane that was exiting. As I merged (yes, with my signal light blinking) the woman in the vehicle behind me began screaming and pointing not nice things in my direction. I realized at that moment I did not have to allow let her anger to invade my car. I chose to live in peace and rest that only God can give at times of tension and not react to her. I have no idea what was going on in her life to make her that upset when a car had to move in front of her in traffic, but it didn’t have to invade the peace and rest God was trying to bring me. I felt bad for her.
The kind of ‘rest’ God is trying to bring to humanity is a supernatural peace that invades our panic.
That is why He sent the Prince of Peace into this chaotic world so long ago so that His creation could experience peace and rest. Peace from all the craziness and busyness.
Rest from all the stuff that would like to reduce us to walking worry and confusion. A peace in God that is truly supernatural and cannot be experienced in this life without Him.
May you find the true source of peace and rest this Holiday Season in Supernatural ways!