Pages

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Anybody Need a Rest?

I really like sleep. I try to get about 8 hours of sleep a night, and I'm very protective of that. If my kids wake up before 7, I really have to struggle to get out of bed. Any time before 7 is just a little too early for me!

So sleep I like, but why do I have trouble allowing myself rest? Does anyone else? Specifically to rest in the Lord. I find I have to be totally intentional about making time to have a rest period with God. I am also very protective of this time with Him. And here's why: I have figured out yet another amazing twist about God's kingdom. Like God uses the weak instead of the strong and the last instead of the first, there is something else about Him I'm discovering.

When I take time with God, the rest of my time is just better. I use my time more efficiently. I get more done. I have a better attitude for the rest of the stuff on my to-do list. It's just amazing! When we give God our time, He blesses us throughout the rest of the day.

Like I said, I'm really protective of my time with God. And frankly, I get really sad when I hear my friends are missing out on their time with God. I get it. I know it is hard with newborns and multiple kids and schedules. But friend, let me just say, make the time anyway. 

I put my kids off in the morning so I can have my time. I let it be their time to watch a TV show or play a game on the iPad. Because seriously, we are ALL better off if I can rest a while with God.

God Himself chose to rest. He ordained rest. He made it a priority. In Genesis 2:3 it says, "And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation."

Can I just say that God didn't need to rest? He's God. He operates outside of space and time. He is not bound by a human body. He did not need to rest. But He did. And, He declared the time of rest to be holy. Anytime God says something is holy, we can "rest" assured that it is part of God's best for us. When we don't take time to rest with God, we miss out on the good that God has for us.

I know everyone is busy. But if we cannot take a few minutes a day with God, to listen, read His word, and pray, we are  going to miss out on the blessings He has for us. In this world, with all of its chaos and disaster and problems, it's a little scary for me to think that we don't have time to rest with God. If Christians aren't allowing time to rest with God and hear from Him, how can we be the good to the rest of the world?

When we do rest with God, we are guaranteed blessings.
  • There is joy in His presence. "You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever" (Psalm 16:11).
  • There is refreshment in His Word. "The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul" (Psalm 19:7).
  • There is guidance and light. "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path" (Psalm 119:105).
I could continue on and on with this list! My encouragement for us all today, (yes, for myself too!) is to make the time to rest with God. Taste and see that He is good. Take a rest with God; try it out! I know we will all see the blessings if we do. Allow yourself a good rest.

Linking up with these great blogs: #livefreeThursday, #belovedbrews, #fellowshipFriday, #graceandtruth

3 comments:

  1. It is restful to spent time with the Lord, no matter what time our schedule allows. I think when we do it on purpose no matter the time spent it's our purpose that focus us on Him. Great encouragement.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Such a beautiful, encouraging reminder to rest in Him! Thank you, Kristen!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Joy, refreshment, and guidance - a few among so many blessings that we receive when we spend time at His feet. It can be so hard when time is a fleeting commodity, but you are so right - nothing compares to our rest in Him. #belovedbrews

    ReplyDelete