A Personal Testimony
Rest.
At this point the word seemed absurd. A task, deadline, or duty constantly wrestled for her attention. The to-do list was infinite, and sleep was only on there because darkness demanded it. The sun would rise and the list would reappear with force, setting her body and mind into motion.
In the next 24 hours every minute should yield some worth, some accomplishment, or at least some progress, was a mantra she was never conscious of but secretly a slave to.
Often she looked at the upcoming day with dread. Typing out emails. Making sandwiches for her kids. Poring over crockpot recipes, where her thoughts wandered to the church meeting at 4.
Looking ever in the future, without pleasure in the present.
She was at that church meeting now. And all eyes were turned on her. She hadn’t realized it until she took a quick glance up with her paper darkened with irrelevant notes.
Her writing slowed. What did they just say? Everyone was staring at her, faces furrowed with concern.
“Hey,” said one woman, “Do you need to rest?”
“Maybe a 30-minute power nap would be nice right now,” she replied with a weary smile.
“Well maybe, but, are you at rest in God?”
After confusion flooded her heart, the truth made its mark.
Sound like you? It was me only a few years ago.
Finding Rest in Him
Do you thrive on productivity?
Some of us are wired that way – the go-getters, goal-chasers, Type A detail-thinkers. Even if not, the hustle and bustle of life catches up to everybody. We need relief. Not only physically, but with spiritual satisfaction in Christ.
So when we think of sin, or disobedience against God, we have to consider the way we rest.
For many – including myself – self-sufficiency is the temptation. We believe we can do it all. In our tiresome attempt to master temporary things, we forget the eternal purposes of the cross…and become tired.
A busy-body spirit prevents us from seeking the Lord and finding joy in sacrifice, leaving us with a restless and hardened heart.
Our ambition-driven culture and our broken human nature challenge us to prove ourselves. We define our success by our to-do list. We pursue being the Pinterest perfect mom. We try to earn other’s approval by activities and appearances, and waste the gift of God’s grace.
It’s a subtle lifestyle of self-righteousness, of fighting to give ourself worth by what we do.
Isn’t it exhausting?
Are you resting in God’s sovereignty or fighting for a false reality? Share on XThat’s one kind of slavery Jesus came to free us from.
“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.” Matthew 11:28-29
Jesus says anyone can come to Him… anyone who lays down their striving to follow Him in thankful dependence. He gladly takes our life’s load, heavy from the weight of sin, and offers respite.
Once we’re walking under His care we can breath in the beauty of His plan. When life is demanding and we cannot literally lie down, there is refreshment in knowing His Spirit ordains every moment and equips our response.
Always remember, He gives rest to those who admit their need.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 5:3
[See more on the Beatitudes in this post.]
Our Heavenly Master is gentle, kind, and He goes before us.
He died to grant us righteousness and a relationship with our Creator—accomplishing everything of worth. Jesus loves when we work unto Him and through Him, knowing He is our source of spiritual richness.
There’s nothing to prove in His eyes, only faith. Today, find rest in knowing that heaven is our future.
An Opportunity to Change
“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” Psalm 127:1-2
We can also rest when we focus on His work, not our own. We should not and cannot do anything apart from Him.
Every second is not about our checklist, reputation, or social media followers, but about the salvation work of Jesus Christ. Every second His return comes closer, and we can draw others closer to Him.
Our labors are a blessing by God, an opportunity to live out our faith. Another beautiful truth? Whether we do something “perfectly” or not, it will not thwart His will.
Let’s serve His Kingdom and not our own. Let’s trust that He is our strength, and rest knowing each day accomplishes what He desires.
I speak all of this from my own experience. I’m asking the Lord daily to wipe away a self-absorbed, disobedient perspective, and to see the day as His.
Be willing to drop your to-do list, and ask God to lead your day. Share on XFeel free to join me in this morning prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Your ways are above my own, and I dearly trust them. This is Your day; let Your Will be done. How can I serve you today? Where should I go, to whom should I minister? Remove any worldly ambition, any remnants of self. Whatever is lacking in me, fill with the Spirit. Let me wait upon You, and be satisfied. Overwhelm me with the joy of Your salvation! Amen.
Thanks for the challenge to see the day as HIS. Such a life-changing thought…
Yes, each day He gives us is a gift that we should surrender back to Him with joy and excitement over what He can do!
Thank you so much for these thoughts and words of wisdom. This really spoke to me. I need to remember it isn’t about me and what I want but about Him and what we wants me to do.
What a great post! I’m a “do-er” by nature, so it takes discipline — and encouragement like this — to remind me that I can rest in Christ’s finished work.
That’s how I am too! Glad this could be of encouragement friend!
Amen, we must rest in the Lord!!
Thanks for reading, Lucretia! 🙂
I’m in a really busy season at work right now, so this is a very important message for me!
Praying you can rest in His presence and love despite this busy season, Bella! 🙂
Thank you for this. Lately I’ve been realizing I do thrive on productivity, and become discouraged when things aren’t being crossed off my to-do list. I love what you said about every second not being about our checklist, reputation, or social media followers, but about the salvation work of Jesus Christ. I need to just rest in His finished work!
You’re welcome! I can be in the same boat sometimes – but what a perspective-changer it is to remember our highest priority is to believe and share His Gospel with those around us! Praying you rest in Him as you serve your family. 🙂
Thank you for sharing this message. Women have such high expectations either put on ourselves or the world to be multi-tasking, do-it-all wives and mothers. But God never called us to wear ourselves thin and work for our own selfish agendas. I loved the call to action to give your day to the Lord. Sometimes we have to check our hearts and make sure our motivations are of the Kingdom and not ourselves. Loved the prayer at the end too.
All of that is so true! Thank you for your kind words! 🙂
Um wow, this spoke to me! Thanks for sharing
You’re welcome Lacy! Praise God this convicted your heart, and I’m praying His Word gives you rest. 🙂
So much truth here. Great perspective. Beautifully said.
Thank you, Stephanie!
I love this! I think as mothers, it’s too easy to go go go and never take time to rest in God. We seek sleep but not true rest. I am trying to start my day in prayer. I find by doing that, I start with a calm spirit and helps me have true rest during the day– even if I am running around
Yes! Sleep is needed, but time with Jesus even more so. I also find that morning prayer, even if just a little bit or with my daughter, helps set my mind on Christ’s will for the day.
Rest is something I have been procrastinating because I rather have the to-do lists finished first. But how can I finish something well without finding rest in the Lord?
Now your post just gently rebuked me to drop those lists:)
Thank you for sharing what God told you to write
love,
Diana
I do the same thing sometimes… but when we rest in Him, especially through prayer, it is then we can do what He has for us to accomplish! Praise Him! Thank you Diana 🙂
Thank you for the reminder that my work is in vain if it’s not in Him.
Amen! You’re welcome, Bailey. Praise God this encouraged.
Thank you for this heart-awakening message. I have strayed so far from His given path. This is a great reminder that without Him in our tasks, we work & work but are not fulfilled. Blessings to you & this work of yours.
Glad this hit home Ellen, so that God may call you into His gracious and kind rest. So often our hearts stray, but He is faithful to forgive and set us on the right path again! Let’s keep praying to find our fulfillment in His love and truth. 🙂 Blessings!
It’s hard to stop being busy but it’s important to find time to rest in the middle of what we’re doing and what is happening in our lives. Thanks for the reminder, Dani
I know, life demands so much! Even when we can’t “slow down” in what we’re doing, we can have an attitude that rests in His sovereignty and power. Thank you for visiting Rachel!