Rest…. Yes, It’s Possible

Ever wonder if rest is really possible? When I say rest, I mean more then just stopping action, sleeping a few extra hours, or taking a week off. I mean the soul refreshing, life giving rest that transforms you.

If you ask most people how they are, I doubt you will find to many who will say “rested” or “refreshed.” Somehow “busy” has become a standard and acceptable response to the question of how we are. It is just part of life, or so it seems, that we rush for here to there and from this to that.

I will never forget one Sunday when I meet a little girl named Angel. It was probably close to 10 years ago, but her little life made an impression on me. I was helping in her class, and she quickly began asking, “what are we going to do?” And then as we started each new activity, Angel would ask, “what’s next?” She never stopped to enjoy, but was constantly ready for the next thing. She was so eager to discover something new, that when she received it, she didn’t even appreciate it.

The reason I remember Angel so clearly is just as I began thinking, “Wow! This little girl needs to relax” God showed me Angel was a perfect picture of how I lived my life. I was always ready for something new. The only problem was, I never appreciated it what I received. I was ready for the next thing, and then the next thing, and then the next thing. Always running, always on the move, always dissatisfied, and certainly never at rest.

In Hebrews 4, we are told that a promise of rest remains for all of God’s children, and we are warned that if we are not careful we will come up short. In other words, God is offering rest to all of us, but few of us listen to Him. We are so busy planning our own steps and making our own way, we miss God’s way. Think of Jesus’ words, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28 NASB).”

God’s rest is not just a physical rest, but a mental and spiritual rest that comes from understanding we are completely dependent on God. What we do should not define us. Even God, after six days of creation rested from His works. And He invites us to rest from our work. Isn’t it freeing to think that everything does not depend on you? You don’t have to prove yourself or achieve anything else. You can trust God who is fully capable and in control. It is time to stop working our way to God and rest in the work He has already done for us.

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Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it.
Hebrews 4:1 NASB

So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered His rest has himself rested from his works, as God did from His.
Hebrews 4:9-10 NASB

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.
Isaiah 40:29-31 NASB