Time to Rest

In the whirlwind of our fast-paced society it is sometimes difficult to stop or even slow down.  However, amid our hectic activity of work and service (no matter how good the service we provide) we need to program rest into our schedule.  Amid a very busy schedule for both Jesus and his disciples He said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31).  There was a reason for His request.  Jesus needed rest and His disciples needed rest.  You and I need rest too!  Notice several things about this comment by Jesus. He said:

1)    “Come” – The invitation was a personal calling for the disciples to take action that would lead to what was necessary for them.

2)    “With me” – The source of the invitation was also personal because being with Jesus was where they would gain the most.

3)    “By yourselves” – The exclusivity of being apart from the hustle and bustle of the crowds was important as it would ensure uninterrupted time.

4)   “To a quiet place” – The destination was the only location where their minds and spirits could be calmed.

5)    “And get some rest” – The purpose of this activity was to provide refreshment and relaxation where they would receive strength and renew their energy.

Periodically you and I need to STOP.  We need to stop what we are doing.  We need to stop our work.  We need to stop our activities – even the good activities that we do.  We need to stop worrying.  We need to stop thinking about concerns that weigh us down.  We cannot keep working and serving without rest for our minds, bodies, and spirits.  Here are a few suggestions that may help you put yourself in a position to receive the rest that you need.

1)      Ask God to help you be willing to take the rest that you should and which you need.

2)      Learn how to say “no” to additional work and multiplied activities.

3)      On your day off make sure you take time doing something you do not usually do and which you enjoy.

4)      After your regular work or activity, get in a position where you take time for yourself.

5)      Take a vacation and use all the time that you are allotted.

6)      Focus your mind on something other than your work or the service that you render.

7)      Encourage your spouse or a friend to “come apart…and get some rest” with you.

When you rest, you will be more effective for the work that you do and/or the service that you render.  Just do it!  It’s time to rest.

Summertime

Warm weather, bright sunshine, fragrant flowers, and green grass all point to summertime.  When we think of summer most of us think of these things as well as vacation – whether we travel to some distant place or stay at home.  When we think of vacation we may also think of rest, relaxing, exploring, or participating in some adventurous activity.

To be sure, summertime (and vacation time) is a time for all of us to rest and be refreshed.  Rest is important for our lives because each one of us needs a breather and time for refreshment and rejuvenation.  However, sometimes we have a “summertime attitude” with actions that keep us away from God.  We may find ourselves involved in lots of activity but at the same time we easily forget about the usual disciplines of the Christian life that keep us in touch with God.  As a result, we draw apart from God rather than coming closer to Him.

If this mind-set becomes part of our lifestyle during the summertime, we may find that we become physically refreshed but we will also discover that our spirit begins to dry up.  That is why we need to rest in God.  The Psalmist clearly proclaimed, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1).

This verse suggests three points of encouragement that are extremely helpful to us and should be practically applied to our lives. Obviously, the source of the encouragement in this verse is God himself who is referred to as “the Most High”.

1)    Stay.  First, an important place for us to stay is next to God.  To “dwell” means to stay, to reside, to settle, or to live.  If we are not in the position of staying, we miss out on the best that God desires for us.

2)    Protection.  Second, we can enjoy the “shelter” that becomes a sanctuary, a haven, or a refuge for us.  In that shelter we are shielded by God from the forces that would destroy us and we are guarded by the Almighty.

3)    Relaxation.  Third, to be refreshed and recover the physical strength that has been depleted we need to “rest”.  The place where it is easiest for us to enjoy the rest that we need is right next to God.  In that position we can reside in God’s shadow where we are safe from harm.

As you and I enjoy the summertime this year let’s make sure that we do not forget God.  When we abide in God’s almighty power, let’s not forget to praise Him for standing by us and providing the rest and refreshment that we enjoy.

Rest and Relaxatioon

During a winter vacation trip to Florida my wife and I had the privilege of walking up and down the beach.  It was fun to enjoy the warm rays of sunshine and experience the cool water of the Atlantic Ocean lapping at our feet.  We enjoyed relaxation and refreshment in this beautiful setting and saw other people enjoying the same thing.  I turned to my wife and said, “I think I could be one.”  To which she asked, “Be one what?”  “I think I could be a ‘Beach Bum’, I said.”  Of course, I was kidding, but in a sense, I was just expressing how wonderful it was and how great it felt to take a break from the regular routine of work.  The Bible talks about rest and shares some valuable truths about it.

1)    God wants all of us to rest and be refreshed.  Jesus told His disciples, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31).  God wants us to have rest, so He created both the day and the night. 

2)    God is the only one who can give us spiritual rest.  The psalmist says, “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him” (Psalm 62:1).  When God talks about rest, He is concerned that we not only have physical rest but that we also get spiritual rest.  That rest can be characterized as an inner peace of heart and mind which is possible through a personal relationship with God.

3)    God does not make the decision for us to receive His rest; we do.  The writer of Hebrews very pointedly says, “Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest” (Hebrews 4:11).  In order to obtain the rest that God offers, we must make a personal decision to receive Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord.  When we do so, Jesus promises us a place in heaven with Him.  He says, “In my father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have old you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2-3).

So, is it time for you to rest?  Have you spent some time apart from your regular routine (no matter what that routine is) to get some physical rest?  Are you aware that only God can give you spiritual rest?  Do you know that God cannot make the decision for you to receive His rest?  Maybe this would be a good time for you to personally receive the spiritual rest that God provides.  Turn to Him in prayer and ask Him to come into your life and make you the kind of person He wants you to be.