During this seemingly long season in our walk with the Lord I have thought often on rest. Rest, sounds so peaceful and calming, yet we must labor to enter that rest.
Hebrews 4:9-11 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.
To me, rest means knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that what the Lord says He has done, is done, period. It is taking Him at His word. All His promises are yes and amen and He keeps His word.
I have heard rest described like a painter who has finished a painting and sees it is done so he lays the brush down. It is finished, completed.
In the military, parade rest is a position of waiting. You’ve done your marching, stopped, and now it is time to rest and wait for the next order.
I haven’t been very good at waiting or resting these past few years. I had developed a mindset that included the words, “I’m looking forward to….” Still, small voice, “What’s wrong with today and what it brings?”
I found myself always looking ahead and not making the most of each moment for today. I was living in the future, or trying to anyway and all it caused me was grief, anxiety, and regret. I have spent much time before the Lord in prayer and with His help, I am now living in “today” and “the here and now”. If someone says, “Don’t you think it will be nice when….” I tell them no and that I am living for today.
Rest brings peace and a deeper sense of the Father’s love for us, knowing that He’s trustworthy and faithful. He is. Rest beloved ones, rest. He has done what He said He’d do.
(Picture is our dog, Gracie Joy resting.)
