Slowing down and saying “No” has never been easy for me. I try to stay as agreeable as possible and just keep going. I am literally exhausted. My body is screaming, “STOP” and I am continuing life as normal.
I am reflecting on the piles of laundry, my giant to-do list, the randomness of things that absolutely need done ASAP, and the things that I can put off, but not if I want to like myself as a person.
I am going to share with you that this was not at all what I intended to write about. I intended to write about the importance of fulfilling purpose, but my struggles just popped out onto the screen and my anxieties about rest and asking for grace. As I have written my complaints, it occurred to me that Jesus rested. Jesus got tired. Jesus did not run Himself ragged. He knew when He needed rest. He said, “No.” He recognized His needs.
I am not comparing myself to Jesus. Absolutely not.
Instead, I am reflecting on how Jesus accepted that He needed rest and He allowed Himself to rest.
Jesus sought isolation and time with His Father in prayer when He needed it.
Why do we not do the same?
Why do I not do the same?
I think the world has programmed me (maybe you too) to believe that busyness is the epitome of existence.
The more we have to do and say and be. . . That shows our worth.
I want to insert my weird crackly cartoony voice here:
LIAR!!
GOD set aside a day for REST at creation. GOD calls us to Him. He wants us to rest and not fret/worry/obsess. . . He longs for us to know Him and trust that He has it all under control.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4: 6-7
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
That is all New Testament. Jesus commands us to come to Him in Matthew. Paul, in Phillippians, explains that GOD takes care of all of our needs.
Shall we peek at Old Testament verses and promises.
For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.
Jeremiah 31:25
GOD promises to give us what we need and replenish us, but we have to go to Him.
In vain do you get up early and put off going to bed, working hard to earn a living; for he provides for his beloved, even when they sleep.
Psalm 127:2
This verse from the book of Psalms hit hard. How often do we trust GOD completely with our lives?
We don’t. I know I don’t. We (I) push and push and push and try and try and try. And all for what? All is vanity. All fades away. According to Ecclesiastes, the world fades. However, trusting GOD and believing and knowing and having faith that HE has us in the palm of His hands, that will ensure eternal life.
He has always desired us to rest and hope fully in Him. He wants us to fellowship with Him, know Him, and rest in Him.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Forgive our striving. Forgive our arrogance that we are our providers.
You have always been our true source of survival.
Help us to learn how to rest and have absolute faith
in You.
We are blessed by Your love and Your provisions.
Guide us as we seek to do Your will.
In the Holy Name of Jesus, our Messiah and Savior,
Amen.
Shalom
Leave a comment