My response: Not to have to sleep and to be able to go through the night and have boundless energy.
Remembering that as I type makes me laugh because...
1. Every human being needs to rest.
2. I don't know if I could even come up with enough things to fill endless hours of time...especially when everyone else would be sleeping. :)
Today, I took a day off from life and just drove. I drove on a beautiful stretch of road to Saugatuck, MI. There were trees, deep beautiful greens on either side of me and a blue sky that reminded me what a gift it is to literally be alive. I got coffee at this awesome place in town called Uncommon Grounds and left for a random park by the water. Having time to be in the stillness, to just watch people walk by, go in random art shops, and just be still was a refreshment to my soul.
Last year I heard a quote that said: "Rest is a weapon given to us by God through Jesus' finished work at the cross. The enemy hates it, because he wants you stressed and occupied." (author unknown)
Some people know this but this past summer I went to the wilderness for a program called the 40/40. Before this God told me I was going to be coming into a season of rest...I had no idea what this meant. On the trip we had built in rest days and when you are hiking day in and day out 8-9 miles with a 60 pound pack when those rest days come around you are quite a happy camper :)
I remember when some of them came and I was just in desperate need of just a full on break from moving, thinking, talking, [insert anything else that requires energy besides eating]. I remember one day sitting there and realizing that how I felt physically out there is how I had often felt spiritually and emotionally back at home. However, these things are much easier to brush off, tuck away, and save for a future time (I'm sure you can relate).
God showed me this picture this past week of being inside this huge tent. Outside storms raged, winds shook the ground, and rain fell. I was inside of the tent and a sword was being sharpened. The longer I spent in the tent the brighter the sword shone. This tent I was in represented Christ as a fortress while the sword represented the sword of the Spirit to fight in spiritual warfare.
Steffany Frizzel sings, "I've been told to pick up my sword and fight for Love, little did I know that Love had won for me."
We must return day after day to the finished work of the cross.
Apart from the cross and His sacrifice there is no grace for us, only condemnation and death which is what we deserve. The cross is the display of God's immeasurable grace for the ones He died for that we have the choice to accept and live into. Dwelling and abiding in Him is our duty and privilege. The first step towards finding greater victory for ourselves as well as for others is living from a place of confidence, belief, and rest at the foot of the cross. In this life we have the honor of loving Christ as well as partnering with Him as He restores the hearts of people around us.
It is not a selfish thing to rest.
In fact, I think it is one of the most generous things we can do because Jesus tells us to pick up our sword and fight. If He is the One leading and directing our hearts our gaze must be upon Him to direct us in our time, our efforts, and all our endeavors. They cannot prosper or succeed without Him. He is the One who establishes the work of our hands (Psalm 138:8).
He calls us deeper and deeper into His heart to discover the riches He has for those who seek His face and trust Him. We will surely be overcome by the winds, the waves, our fears, our anxieties, and our worries without our hearts directed to Him.
Faith is more of a marathon than a sprint. With this truth in mind we must remember that we are His sons and daughters and with that comes the responsibility to rest in His love. I believe often times our pride is what leads us to believe we don't need rest, we don't need to abide, and we don't need others on this journey.
Newsflash: Jesus rested. Jesus abided. Jesus had close friends. So you should too!! :)
As any married couple will tell you remaining in love after the marriage vows are said is when the real test and marathon begins. Jesus calls us to "awaken first love" and to remain abiding & deeply rooted in Him as the Vine. To do this requires intentional effort, energy, time, and above all our hearts fully surrendered to His will each day.
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Remain in my love." -John 15:9
This is a call to rest. To cease striving. To humble ourselves beneath His mighty hand, and realize how fragile and weak we are alone but also the immense strength that is born when we abide in Him. To remain in love is a joyful duty that may require us to say "no" to many good things and "yes" to the best that Jesus has in store for you.
When you feel that pull on your heart to step away for a bit and rest- listen to it. I believe that to serve the Lord well on this earth and to love Him with all our hearts, minds, and strength is to find ways to rest amidst it all. Whether you're a student, a doctor, a missionary, or a mom your call to abide is the same & to jealously guard your relationship with Christ.
Remain in Love,
Remain at rest.
(40/40 trip photo. Location:Thompson Lakes Credit: Kay Chen)
