. . . let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus . . .
Hebrews 12:1b-2a
If it’s a race, go faster. Speed up. The goal is to win.
Or at least finish well. Get a new personal best.
Rest? It seems so counterproductive. So opposite of endurance.
In my 20’s, workouts were intense, 6 days a week. Rest was 1.
Injuries? Frequent.
Now in my 40’s, workouts are minimal, 3 days a week. Rest is 4.
Injuries? Fewer.
Rest is not aimless. Rest is healing. But does rest mean . . .
STOP!?
No. I can’t put life on hold. Not even with full vacations each summer and weekend get-aways in the winter. Not with externals.
True rest has to come from the inside. Internal. Eternal. On-going.
There’s only One Way to get it, to keep it.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me,
for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find
rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
But how? How does that work?
It’s a transfer. Handing over my heavy burdens to Someone Else. Taking his light ones. That is rest.
My rest often takes shape . . .
. . . in routines
Scheduled readings. Daily prayers. Focused activities.
. . . in spontaneity
Varied surroundings. New experiences. Open eyes.
. . . in others
Christian authors. Believing friends. Inspiring thoughts.
. . . in one-on-One
In solitude with Him. In worship with Him. In service with Him.
But those are not rest. Those are shapes of rest. My rest is a person. My rest is Jesus.
Rest. Without it, without Him, I’m exhausted. I’m prone to injuries, prone to sin.
I crave it, I crave Him, when I’ve forgotten to breathe Him in.
Rest in Jesus is home base; why do I ever stray from it? It’s my birthright; why do I forget that it is now?
Lord,
Continue to recreate your full rest in my fragmented soul. Let me live centered in your peace, waiting quietly for you, with you. Only in your rest am I able to finish the race and keep the faith (2 Ti 4:7).
You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3
* * *
7 comments:
"My rest is a person." Beautiful.
I have been thinking the same thing -- is rest really a person?
Lisa, thank you for this reminder. My rest is in a person; Jesus. Right now, I'm so weary with so much pressure. It helps me to read posts like this. Very timely and helpful.
Blessings to you,
Debbie
Powerful, these words:"Rest in Jesus is home base."
Beautiful thoughts here -- words laden with REST.
THANK YOU.
Wow, Lisa, what a great perspective on rest. Your words and heart are beautiful. I recently thought about how the verse in Isaiah says, "We'll RUN and not grow weary, WALK and not faint." As you said, it's not about lack of motion but where our hearts are as we go. You brought that truth back to me in such a refreshing way this evening. Thank you!
As I write, there are tears in my eyes. It's been a day I can't quite explain and I just got done telling God I need some encouragement. I got your link off of Holley's blog. I needed a hug from God and the comment on rest is in a person, Jesus, grabbed me. Thanks. Now I'd better go wash off my tears for I need to be somewhere in 15 minutes. :)Thanks.
Thanks for the reminder. Christ IS our Sabbath rest.
There remains a Sabbath rest for the children of God. Hebrews 4:9
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