“Strong” was my one-word focus for last year, and strangely enough, God used it to teach me my weakness. In my weakness, He is strong. This year my one-word is “Action”, driven by a desire to do the things God calls me to — not just think about them. But in the first month of the year, He has ironically taught me … rest.
This week, I saw a doctor for a virus that has been clinging on for weeks, and her prescription was – rest. Just take some time off and sleep. Of course, my response was – “I can’t! I’m too busy! I don’t have enough PTO!” But later I realized that she was right.
Too often when I’m worn thin, my solution is to “just keep swimming”. But I can’t love my family or do my work very well when I’m exhausted and drowning. God knows. He calls us to rest in Him: “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28). He commands us to rest from our work, to honor the Sabbath that He established in the beginning – a holy rest, for us.
I’m reminded of the Israelites wandering in the desert, gathering their manna for each day. And on the sixth day, God gave them more than enough for the seventh day (Exodus 16). I am convinced that God will still give us a little extra on some days so that we can rest on others, if we will trust Him and do the work of preparing.
When I allow myself to rest, God renews my soul. In Lysa TerKeurst’s book Unglued, she explains Sabbath like this: “I take this one day for a soul cleaning so I can live the other six with the freedom to breathe that my soul so desperately needs”.
Isn’t that what we need, friends? White space, spiritual rhythm, time for our souls to breathe? And I believe that as our souls are renewed, our families and our work will be renewed as well.
For years, I did the dishes angry. I used that time to stew and be bitter over all of the things I was responsible for. After finally taking some time to rest and reflect, I realized how harmful that habit had been in my heart and my family. I repented of my bitterness and anger before God and to my husband. And that simple act has made such a difference in my joy, in our marriage, and in how I view my work.
How can you plan for and receive God’s rest this week, my friend? What is one thing that revives your soul?
Love,
Amanda