Taking Time to Rest

Many times we do not take the time to rest and rejuvenate our hearts, bodies and souls. We are so busy in our culture today that rest is a forgotten necessity of life. As new parents, we go without sleep sometimes for a few days if our child is sick or cranky. When we grow into our teen years, we just keep going from one activity to the next, not thinking about the fact that our physical body needs to rest and regain its' strength.  One time I took one of our boys to the Dr because of some sort of illness and the very wise physician we had at the time told me to let the boy sleep! Sleep all day if he needs to, he is growing so fast his body can't keep with itself. Then, we become young adults in a new career and we continue to burn both candles at the ends. We work 50-80 hours per week. 

Some times I think about our churches. We might find ourselves doing the same thing in our places of worship. We have so many things offered to the likings of so many diverse ideas and ministries, that we forget to rest in the Spirit of the living God. To truly find God's presence during our time of worship, to rejuvenate our souls!

    What about rest, God taught us from the very beginning of time that even the Divine Creator of the Universe rested. 

    Gen. 2:2 "On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work." (NLT)

    Jesus found himself needing rest. Many times he would go off by himself, leave his disciples and spend time  in the place he found rest and peace. Many times Jesus would find this rest in the Mount of Olives. Can you picture it? Sitting amongst the beauty of the olive grove, the smell of the Mediterranean Sea and the olives themselves. Jesus knew enough to do something for himself, to find a quiet place to rest, to rejuvenate with his heavenly Father.

    We are no different. As humans we need to find rest, and as followers of Christ we need rest! The kind of rest that only comes from the power of the Holy Spirit which brings forth healing. Healing, so that we may continue on the journey that God has placed us on; as we walk together on the planet sharing the love and grace freely given to us by our Creator.  Jesus gave so much of himself that when he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, he prayed and drops of sweat blood came from him.

   Luke 22:44 "He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood." (NLT)

    My encouragement for you today is this; find that sweet place, those few moments during your day, that week of rest and vacation, and rest, body soul and spirit. We need to be ready to come into a place of regular rest so that we can continue on this journey of life sharing the great commission with those around us. 

   Matthew 28:18-20 "Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (NLT)