Rest is Abiding in Grace
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will ding rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 (NIV)
For as long as I can remember, I have always been busy. I don’t know any other way. Even when recovering from various surgeries, I have managed to keep busy with crafts, writing or reading. I push through until I am exhausted and then dumbly wonder what happened. Erin Keeley Marshall (Mornings with Jesus) and I have lots in common.
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“You need to REST.” My friend’s emphatic words left little room for argument. “You’re still doing too much. It’s okay to just be.”
I liked the idea of sitting and reading or watching TV. Even taking a nap and shutting the world off. But I always felt guilty.
I am a “striver.” I keep myself busy—too busy—doing all sorts of things. My husband is the same way, so after tackling one big project after another for years, he and I decided to strive to stop striving, to let things be, to just be. I loved the idea but doing it was unfamiliar territory.
Just as being constantly busy doesn’t work for me, life doesn’t work as well when I overcommit, don’t set boundaries, and run my brain and body to the limits. I need physical rest, but I also need to rest in Jesus, in my heart, soul and mind.
My friend and I moved on in our conversation and had a wonderful visit, but I couldn’t stop thinking about her words. And then it dawned on me: Rest is abiding in grace. Grace to listen to Jesus over anyone else. To not get caught up in what I think I need to do for everyone else. To enjoy Him and to please Him first. To rest and be with Him.
FAITH STEP: From what pressuring influences do you need a break? Take fifteen minutes to rest your body, mind, and soul.
Heavenly Father, thank You for being our resting place and thank You for the grace with which You cover us. Help us to be willing to slow down and renew our strength in Your loving arms. AMEN.