The Rest Of God

A few years ago, I was coming home from a four-day mini vacation, when I noticed how clearly, I could hear the Holy Spirit. What astounded me the most, was that I was on a crowded train, but I could hear the Holy Spirit speaking to me as if no one was around me. I had been seeking his guidance on a matter for some time, and he was answering me so clearly.

Sometimes when were in the heat of battle, it’s not so easy to hear from God. You would think it would be…, but it’s not. After fasting and praying, I still had no answers. I wasn’t even planning a trip, the opportunity just opened to me and everything fell into place for me to go. It wasn’t a lavish vacation, just a trip to see a sister friend.

The first day of my trip while on the train, I received scenes for a novel that I was working on. The second day as I laid quietly praying, I could sense the presence of God in a deeper way. The third day, I awoke refreshed in my soul. But on the fourth day as I rode home on the train, my spirit was refreshed as I heard the Holy Spirit giving me direction on a publishing matter.

It wasn’t until I got back home that I realized that I desperately needed to enter into God’s rest; spiritually, physically and emotionally. I was just tired….and from a state of fatigue whether spiritual, physical or emotional, we don’t function at our optimal best. Just that brief respite was enough to refresh my spirit, soul and body.

Sister Joyce Meyer said it best, in her article: "Let God’s Amazing Grace Make Your Life Easier." She speaks about God's Sabbath rest as a time for us to rest from our work just as God rested from his work on the seventh day. And to not strive to make our lives better, rather to allow God to create for us and through us the life he has preordained for us to live, through his guidance and good works.

Hebrews 4:9-11 says, "So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest…"

I noticed that resting in God, gave me clarity to hear him. Which for me is imperative because I don't write anything until he instructs me and directs me. He even helps me with my titles. I love having the Holy Spirit leading the way. Even guiding my seasons of rest and refreshing. I was speaking to a sister the other day, about rest when the Lord, reminded me that we use the word rest too lightly. However, it is appropriately thought of as restoration. Thinking about it in that way gives us a better understanding of the value of rest. It's a pause for a period of restoration (spiritual, emotional, physical, financial, and relational).

Many of us don't realize the need for a rest break, we just keep pushing through, even though we know we feel stuck or like we are falling apart physically and emotionally. Serving others is why work was created by God, but caring for ourselves is just as important. Working for a purpose is noble, working for money is necessary, but working for our health and emotional well-being is essential. It is okay, to take a much needed pause for our well-being. And the best way to service others is to take care of ourselves.

Prayer:

Father, please help us daily to enter into your Sabbath Rest, where we can cast all of our cares and anxieties about life and work onto you. Help us to rest knowing that you’ve got our best interest at heart and our lives in your capable hands. May our walk, our talk and the works of our hands be pleasing in your sight and aligned with your will. And may we know when you are leading us to just stop, and take a much needed break from the toils of life and enjoy a time of restoration with you and in you. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!