Can you just give it a rest?
When I catch myself whining about something for too long, I tell
myself, “Give it a rest!” I need to coach myself to shut my mouth, to
let things go, or to give them to the Lord. That little phrase, as rude
as it can be, works for me. “Jerry, just give it a rest!” And, when I
do, I am able to work better, harder because I can focus on what really
matters in life.
Christians
are offered rest by God. It is one of those privileges that we exercise
too little, in my opinion. We fret, stress, and struggle trying to make
life into what we think it ought to be. All the while, the Lord says,
“Give it a rest!” A life of faith allows us to enter into a place of
rest, even in the most difficult of circumstances. Psalm 23 celebrates
that “You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies!”
Yes, He invites us to sit down to dinner on the battlefield! Hebrews
speaks of the ‘Sabbath rest’ available to the people of God. It’s not
able a day off from work. It is an invitation to a place of serenity,
where our souls are settled securely in the covenant promise of the
Lord. "Since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be
careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we
also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the
message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did
not combine it with faith." (Hebrews 4:1-2, NIV) Are you still
fretting about your relationship with Him? Are you troubled that you
might not be ‘good enough for God?’ Then, you have not entered into His
rest. In Christ Jesus, we are made whole, saved completely, and able to
rest.
From
that place near the heart of God, where the Spirit speaks to us about
His loving acceptance, we enter the world to do the work of God. Working
with God is so much more fulfilling than working for Him.
If we are trying to prove to Him that we deserve His blessings our
efforts become dutiful, exhausting, and often more about appearance than
substance. But, if we are engaged in serving the Lord because of our
love for Him and for others, even those things that could be drudgery,
take on meaningfulness. The same tasks, yes. But, they are done with a
different motive, and are kissed with His favor.
Meditate on Jesus’ words. "Come
to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my
burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV) On this Monday morning,
as you’re starting a new work week, He wants to come alongside and share
the weight. Will you allow Him to do that? There’s rest waiting. No,
not the kind of rest we find in a hammock in the backyard on a Summer
afternoon. It’s a sense of fulfillment and purpose that comes from
knowing He is pleased with us.
Here’s the same passage from The Message: "Are
you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with
me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.
Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced
rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep
company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message)
Do
you need to tell yourself ‘just give it a rest!’? Bring that matter
that troubles your soul to Him. Ask for wisdom, for help, for acceptance
- and ‘enter His rest.’ You, and everybody around you, will appreciate
the difference.
"The
LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.
Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. For
you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my
feet from stumbling." (Psalm 116:6-8, NIV)
__________________
He Is Our Peace
He is our peace,
Who has broken down ev'ry wall.
He is our peace, He is our peace.
He is our peace,
Who has broken down ev'ry wall.
He is our peace, He is our peace.
Cast all your cares on Him,
For He cares for you,
He is our peace, He is our peace.
Cast all your cares on Him,
For He cares for you.
He is our peace, He is our peace.
Kandela Groves
© 1975 Maranatha! Music (Admin. by Maranatha! Music)
CCCM Music (Admin. by Maranatha! Music)
CCLI License # 810055
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