There are so many reasons to be thankful this morning, as there are every morning! For starters, the sun is shining this morning. That hasn't been true very often lately. We've been having a lot of gray, gloomy mornings here in these mountains over the last couple of weeks, so I am very glad indeed to see sunshine to start my day!
Brian had his LASIK surgery yesterday afternoon, and it was a great success! For the first time in thirty years, he can see without glasses or contact lenses. I'm amazed by this procedure. So happy for Brian. And so grateful.
No raccoons visited our bird feeders last night, which is another reason for thanksgiving this morning. I don't know if word has gotten out to the local raccoon population that a nighttime raid on our bird feeders will likely result in their getting shot, or they just decided to take a break last night. Either way, it was good to see everything on the porch in order this morning, and the bird feeders hanging in their proper places. And it's another reason to be thankful.
In addition to my regular Bible reading plan, I've also been following a plan called "40 Days of Lent" as Easter approaches. What a blessing it has been
to follow the journey of our Lord through the days leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection. Today's reading was from John 18, where we read that Jesus was betrayed by Judas and arrested.
As I am reading about these events in our Lord's life here on earth, I am overwhelmed and humbled and full of gratitude. He paid a very great price for our salvation. A very great price indeed. And my heart overflows with thanksgiving!
Thank You, Jesus! For all that You have done! For giving Your life for me! Thank You!
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.......God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved.......For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 1:3; 2:4-8 ESV)
Listen to Hillsong's Song of Thanksgiving here (and maybe even sing along!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9jJ3M1AyIw
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
A Clear Focus
When he was in third grade, our son's vision began to deteriorate. By the time he entered fourth grade, he was wearing glasses. Over the years we have referred to him as our "blind child" because his vision is so bad. Today that will change. A few weeks ago, he had a consultation with an eye surgeon. And this afternoon, Brian is having LASIK surgery. Finally, after all these years, he will be able to see clearly. He will have clear focus.
What about you? How's your focus? I'm not just referring to whether or not you wear glasses. Or whether or not you have cataracts clouding your vision. I'm thinking more in spiritual terms. Do you perhaps have "spiritual cataracts"? Is there anything clouding your spiritual vision?
Perhaps you're focusing on the wrong thing. You may have you vision laser-focused onto your circumstances. Or on a relationship. It may even be a good relationship. Or perhaps it's one that has some problems. In either event, that's where your focus is.
There's a trend in Christian circles these days to focus on the gifts God gives, on the grace-gifts He brings into our lives. I think it's certainly a good thing to be aware of all the blessings God brings into our lives. And I agree that it's an act of worship to notice and give thanks for all these blessings. I do not, however, agree with the idea that God is good because He brings these things into our lives. That implies that He is not good if He doesn't bring these good gifts. Or that He is not good when we are going through hard times. That is a direct contradiction of Scripture. ("Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4 NASB)
God is not good because He brings good things into our lives; He brings good things into our lives because He is good! Furthermore, God is good all the time. In the good times. In the not-so-good times. When we are blessed with wonderful gifts. When we are not. God is good, because of WHO HE IS, not because of what He does or doesn't do, or because of what He does or doesn't give.
But back to the issue of focus, where is your focus today? Certainly we should be aware of, make note of, give thanks for, all the gifts God brings our way. And if you were to keep a list, you would likely be astonished at just how many ways God blesses you in a day's time.
My issue, my concern, is that too often we are putting the focus on the gift, rather than on God Himself. My concern is that too often we are focused on the blessing, when our focus should be on the Blesser.
What's clouding your vision today? Or do you have a clear focus? Is there anything "between your soul and the Savior"?
Something to think about.
"Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2 NASB, emphasis mine)
Listen to the hymn "Nothing Between My Soul and the Savior" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o62NruWQyBk
What about you? How's your focus? I'm not just referring to whether or not you wear glasses. Or whether or not you have cataracts clouding your vision. I'm thinking more in spiritual terms. Do you perhaps have "spiritual cataracts"? Is there anything clouding your spiritual vision?
Perhaps you're focusing on the wrong thing. You may have you vision laser-focused onto your circumstances. Or on a relationship. It may even be a good relationship. Or perhaps it's one that has some problems. In either event, that's where your focus is.
There's a trend in Christian circles these days to focus on the gifts God gives, on the grace-gifts He brings into our lives. I think it's certainly a good thing to be aware of all the blessings God brings into our lives. And I agree that it's an act of worship to notice and give thanks for all these blessings. I do not, however, agree with the idea that God is good because He brings these things into our lives. That implies that He is not good if He doesn't bring these good gifts. Or that He is not good when we are going through hard times. That is a direct contradiction of Scripture. ("Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4 NASB)
God is not good because He brings good things into our lives; He brings good things into our lives because He is good! Furthermore, God is good all the time. In the good times. In the not-so-good times. When we are blessed with wonderful gifts. When we are not. God is good, because of WHO HE IS, not because of what He does or doesn't do, or because of what He does or doesn't give.
But back to the issue of focus, where is your focus today? Certainly we should be aware of, make note of, give thanks for, all the gifts God brings our way. And if you were to keep a list, you would likely be astonished at just how many ways God blesses you in a day's time.
My issue, my concern, is that too often we are putting the focus on the gift, rather than on God Himself. My concern is that too often we are focused on the blessing, when our focus should be on the Blesser.
What's clouding your vision today? Or do you have a clear focus? Is there anything "between your soul and the Savior"?
Something to think about.
"Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2 NASB, emphasis mine)
Listen to the hymn "Nothing Between My Soul and the Savior" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o62NruWQyBk
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Joy Unspeakable
-
Once again I have a song lyric running through my head. It actually happens to me pretty often, but in this case it's a little baffling. I haven't heard this song for years, and I can't even remember when, if ever, it was actually sung in a church service I was part of. Yet I can't get it out of my head! Joy unspeakable and full of glory, the half has never yet been told.
- Yesterday morning we were fogged in on this mountaintop. Literally. Surrounded by fog. By early afternoon the fog had lifted some. We could see a bit of the valley below us, and we could see the trees across the road a bit more clearly. Late in the afternoon, all the clouds had lifted and we had beautiful sunshine!
Life is a lot like that, isn't it? We spend much of our life "in a fog", at least spiritually speaking. Even when we have trusted Jesus early in life, we don't really comprehend all that means. Our understanding grows as we do, in the physical sense, but also in the spiritual sense. And as we grow, the fog begins to lift and we see things more clearly. Continuing to grow in our faith means we see more and more clearly. Now we see things as through a mirror, dimly, as the Apostle Paul described it in 1 Corinthians 13. Eventually we shall see clearly, shall see Jesus face to face. And that will indeed be "joy unspeakable and full of glory"!
But we don't have to wait until then to experience that kind of joy! We can live that kind of joy every day in the here and now. That kind of joy comes when we know that our eternity is secure, but also comes because we live every moment of every day in confident assurance that our God is in control. When we see everything that comes our way as coming from His hand for our good and for His glory. When we live with grateful hearts for all the gifts He gives, both large and small. When we know that we know that we know that we belong to Him. That knowledge, that settled certainty, that no matter what comes my way, I belong to Him.......that brings a life of joy!
Yes, tough times come. I've been right in the middle of some of those tough times over the last few days. And perhaps that's why the old hymn has come to mind. It's a reminder from God not to give up. That He is in control. A reminder not to let the tough times rob my joy! Yet another reminder came to me in my quiet time this morning as I read these words: "[Jesus prayed], But now I am coming to you and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves." (John 17:13 ESV)
Joy unspeakable. Not because of my circumstances. Often in spite of my circumstances. But isn't that what joy is, really? Joy is not dependent on circumstances. Joy comes from a relationship with Jesus. Joy is not an external thing; it is internal. Happy times, grace gifts, tangible blessings......those are just a bonus! Joy is in the relationship. And it is joy unspeakable and full of glory!
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy he caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuiness of your faith - more precious than gold that is tested by fire - may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:3-7 ESV, emphasis mine)
And just in case you aren't familiar with the old hymn I mentioned at the outset, here it is. This hymn was written by Barney Warren way back in 1900. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KskwIKSHqzk
Monday, April 7, 2014
A Reminder
Last week was a rough week. There were emotional highs and lows. There were some challenging situations that had to be dealt with. And the week ended with one of the worst arthritis flare-ups I've ever had. I was feeling pretty beaten down as the week ended.
We were up early yesterday morning to get ready for church. We were up earlier than normal in order to help serve breakfast to senior adults at our church (it was Senior Adult Sunday yesterday). And I hadn't slept well at all on Saturday night. As I was waiting for Molly to take care of her business, I was thinking about all that and I prayed, "Lord, I really need some encouragement."
A couple of hours later He answered that prayer in the form of a friend who encouraged me with some good news, who hugged on me, and who stood right there in the hall at church and prayed over me. What a blessing she was to me! And how good our gracious God is!
Not only was my prayer answered so quickly and so beautifully with exactly what I needed, but it was also a reminder of how good God is. That He knows what we need even before we ask Him. That He provides what we need. That He always answers prayer. And that His timing is perfect.
Thank You, dear Father, for that reminder!
"He hath made everything beautiful in His time." (Ecclesiastes 3:11 KJV)
We were up early yesterday morning to get ready for church. We were up earlier than normal in order to help serve breakfast to senior adults at our church (it was Senior Adult Sunday yesterday). And I hadn't slept well at all on Saturday night. As I was waiting for Molly to take care of her business, I was thinking about all that and I prayed, "Lord, I really need some encouragement."
A couple of hours later He answered that prayer in the form of a friend who encouraged me with some good news, who hugged on me, and who stood right there in the hall at church and prayed over me. What a blessing she was to me! And how good our gracious God is!
Not only was my prayer answered so quickly and so beautifully with exactly what I needed, but it was also a reminder of how good God is. That He knows what we need even before we ask Him. That He provides what we need. That He always answers prayer. And that His timing is perfect.
Thank You, dear Father, for that reminder!
"He hath made everything beautiful in His time." (Ecclesiastes 3:11 KJV)
Friday, April 4, 2014
The Hawks Are Back
Yesterday afternoon I noticed that something large had flown in front of my living room window. Being the curious type, I stood by the window to see what it was, and then another something large flew by again. It turned out to be two hawks, flying back and forth in front of our house. I wanted to get a picture, but by the time I got the camera out, they had moved on.
We have had hawks flying around here before, but haven't seen them for a while. It seems that they have returned. As I watched them fly - and they are really fast! - I was reminded of a blog post I had written a couple of years ago about our dachsund Molly and the hawk that was flying around.
That post has been updated and is shared here today.
For those of you who don't know, Molly is our slightly overweight 10 year old dachsund. (I think being at least slightly overweight must be a requirement for being part of this household!!) Molly has always been a very social dog, which is quite different from previous dachsunds who have been part of our family. Molly loves people, unlike her predecessor Max, who only tolerated humans, particularly in his old age!
When we first moved to this mountain, we continued to use a leash when we took Molly outside. She was a city dog, after all, and being young and curious, we weren't sure exactly how she would respond to the freedom of being let outside on her own. That changed several years ago when I had ankle fusion surgery. Because Al travels a lot for his job, Molly and I were home alone. I could manage pretty well in the house with my walker and my wheelchair, but there was no way I could maneuver out the back door onto a snowy, icy carport. So we began to let her out on her own, and most of the time she was, and continues to be, good about taking care of business and then returning to the back door to be let in. There are occasional "wanderings", and sometimes a good bit of yelling (on my part, not hers!) to get her back where she belongs. But mostly, things have worked out well.
Sometimes Molly gets really focused on the scent of a squirrel or a chipmunk. Then she is completely oblivious to anything else around her. I think of these as her "blonde" moments! Sometimes she just seems to be wandering aimlessly about in her own little world.
And this brings me to the hawks. During the years we have lived here, a hawk has frequently been spotted circling overhead when Molly has been outside. A very large hawk. And remember that Molly, slightly overweight though she may be, is a small dog. That hawk could have Molly for lunch! (Or breakfast. Or dinner. Or a snack.) But dear Molly remains completely oblivious to the danger. She just wanders around. Looking for the perfect spot to do her business. Or sniffing for squirrels and chipmunks. Or lying in the sun. Yet, all the while, danger is lurking overhead. And so we go outside with her, on the alert for that hawk. And now there are two!
I share that story because I'm concerned that many Christians in today's world are much like Molly.......completely oblivious to the dangers that surround us. In our culture. In our schools. In the workplace. In the movies we watch and the music we listen to and the books we read. Even in our churches. There aren't hawks literally flying over our heads. But there is danger, nonetheless, and we need to be alert.
The time to blindly accept everything we see or hear as truth is long past. We need to be alert to the lies and half-truths that are surrounding us. We need to compare everything we are told, everything we read or hear, to the plumbline of God's Word. Even what we read from the Christian bookstore or hear in church. Perhaps especially from those sources! We need to be careful that what is being presented as truth is, in fact, truth! The enemy of our souls knows that his time is short, and he will use any and every means available to achieve his goals.
"Be on the alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith." ( 1 Peter 5:8-9 HCSB)
"Be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of the immoral and fall from your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the days of eternity. Amen." (2 Peter 3:17-18 HCSB)
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep;s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." (Matthew 7:15 ESV)
We have had hawks flying around here before, but haven't seen them for a while. It seems that they have returned. As I watched them fly - and they are really fast! - I was reminded of a blog post I had written a couple of years ago about our dachsund Molly and the hawk that was flying around.
That post has been updated and is shared here today.
For those of you who don't know, Molly is our slightly overweight 10 year old dachsund. (I think being at least slightly overweight must be a requirement for being part of this household!!) Molly has always been a very social dog, which is quite different from previous dachsunds who have been part of our family. Molly loves people, unlike her predecessor Max, who only tolerated humans, particularly in his old age!
When we first moved to this mountain, we continued to use a leash when we took Molly outside. She was a city dog, after all, and being young and curious, we weren't sure exactly how she would respond to the freedom of being let outside on her own. That changed several years ago when I had ankle fusion surgery. Because Al travels a lot for his job, Molly and I were home alone. I could manage pretty well in the house with my walker and my wheelchair, but there was no way I could maneuver out the back door onto a snowy, icy carport. So we began to let her out on her own, and most of the time she was, and continues to be, good about taking care of business and then returning to the back door to be let in. There are occasional "wanderings", and sometimes a good bit of yelling (on my part, not hers!) to get her back where she belongs. But mostly, things have worked out well.
Sometimes Molly gets really focused on the scent of a squirrel or a chipmunk. Then she is completely oblivious to anything else around her. I think of these as her "blonde" moments! Sometimes she just seems to be wandering aimlessly about in her own little world.
And this brings me to the hawks. During the years we have lived here, a hawk has frequently been spotted circling overhead when Molly has been outside. A very large hawk. And remember that Molly, slightly overweight though she may be, is a small dog. That hawk could have Molly for lunch! (Or breakfast. Or dinner. Or a snack.) But dear Molly remains completely oblivious to the danger. She just wanders around. Looking for the perfect spot to do her business. Or sniffing for squirrels and chipmunks. Or lying in the sun. Yet, all the while, danger is lurking overhead. And so we go outside with her, on the alert for that hawk. And now there are two!
I share that story because I'm concerned that many Christians in today's world are much like Molly.......completely oblivious to the dangers that surround us. In our culture. In our schools. In the workplace. In the movies we watch and the music we listen to and the books we read. Even in our churches. There aren't hawks literally flying over our heads. But there is danger, nonetheless, and we need to be alert.
The time to blindly accept everything we see or hear as truth is long past. We need to be alert to the lies and half-truths that are surrounding us. We need to compare everything we are told, everything we read or hear, to the plumbline of God's Word. Even what we read from the Christian bookstore or hear in church. Perhaps especially from those sources! We need to be careful that what is being presented as truth is, in fact, truth! The enemy of our souls knows that his time is short, and he will use any and every means available to achieve his goals.
"Be on the alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith." ( 1 Peter 5:8-9 HCSB)
"Be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of the immoral and fall from your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the days of eternity. Amen." (2 Peter 3:17-18 HCSB)
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep;s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." (Matthew 7:15 ESV)
Thursday, April 3, 2014
It's Hard to Say Good-Bye
Yesterday was an emotional roller coaster.
On Tuesday, I had driven over to Pigeon Forge to meet up with my friend Jean for our semi-annual shopping spree. Jean and I have been friends for almost 20 years. Once upon a time, we lived in the same town in Florida, but now she lives in northern Alabama and I live in the mountains of North Carolina. For several years now, we have met up a couple of times a year in Pigeon Forge. It's always great fun. Good food, shopping, and lots of laughter. This year was particularly special because we didn't get together last fall. A full year had passed since we had seen each other and had our "Pigeon Forge fix". And, as usual, it was great fun!
But at the same time that Jean and I were enjoying catching up, my heart was also breaking because back in North Carolina, my oldest grand-dog Ballpark was not doing well at all. It was becoming obvious that his time was short, and that it was time for Brandon and Stephanie to make a decision. The appointment was made for yesterday afternoon, and it was time for them to say good-bye. Ballpark was 14 years old; he had been part of the family for 12 of those years. He was a great dog, and he'll be missed.
I held it together until I got back home. Then I had a good cry. And somehow that helped.
On Tuesday, I had driven over to Pigeon Forge to meet up with my friend Jean for our semi-annual shopping spree. Jean and I have been friends for almost 20 years. Once upon a time, we lived in the same town in Florida, but now she lives in northern Alabama and I live in the mountains of North Carolina. For several years now, we have met up a couple of times a year in Pigeon Forge. It's always great fun. Good food, shopping, and lots of laughter. This year was particularly special because we didn't get together last fall. A full year had passed since we had seen each other and had our "Pigeon Forge fix". And, as usual, it was great fun!
But at the same time that Jean and I were enjoying catching up, my heart was also breaking because back in North Carolina, my oldest grand-dog Ballpark was not doing well at all. It was becoming obvious that his time was short, and that it was time for Brandon and Stephanie to make a decision. The appointment was made for yesterday afternoon, and it was time for them to say good-bye. Ballpark was 14 years old; he had been part of the family for 12 of those years. He was a great dog, and he'll be missed.
I held it together until I got back home. Then I had a good cry. And somehow that helped.
Ballpark, 2000-2014
Goodbye, Ballpark. You were loved. I'm going to miss you.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Learning to Rest
"Rest is a necessary part of useful action. It is not something to be overlooked, neglected, or denied." - Alistair Begg
I came across this quote on Facebook yesterday and it really struck a chord with me. This idea of rest is one I've been pondering for a while. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that I have been pondering the lack of rest, or resting, or restfulness that characterizes life in 21st century America.
Rest: (noun) the refreshing quiet or repose of sleep; refreshing ease or inactivity; relief or freedom, especially from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs; mental or spiritual calm, tranquility.
(verb) to refresh oneself, as by sleeping or relaxing; to relieve weariness by cessation of exertion; to be at ease; to be quiet or still. (definitions taken from Dictionary.com)
Would anyone dispute that people are very busy these days? Over-worked. Over-tired. Stressed. In need of some rest and relaxation.
Unfortunately, people don't seem to know how to rest any more. And somehow we have come to equate being busy with being productive. Which is not necessarily the case. As a culture, we're always on the go. Always busy. Always in a hurry. Always have too much to do. And if we aren't busy and in a hurry and on the go, we seem to think there's a problem. That something is wrong with us or wrong in our lives because we aren't busy enough. We complain about being too busy and we complain when we aren't busy. When we don't have every minute of every day filled with some activity, we complain that we are bored. And somehow we have convinced ourselves that if we take time to rest, there is something wrong with us. That we must be deficient in some way if we admit a need for rest and relaxation. That we must be terribly lazy if we choose some down-time.
None of that is actually true. But we have convinced ourselves that it is. And so the result is that we don't rest. We don't allow ourselves time to rest. Maybe we don't even know how to rest.
But our bodies were designed to need rest. And not getting enough rest has consequences. Among these consequences, according to webmd.com, are
illness, including serious illnesses like heart disease and stroke; forgetfulness; depression; weight gain; aging skin; and a host of other things. So it would seem that this might be something we should pay more attention to!
We need to learn how to rest. I'm not just talking about getting a certain number of hours sleep each night. I'm talking about resting. Relaxing. Building some leisure into our schedules. Being intentional about resting and relaxing. Taking some time to do nothing. To take a nap. Or read a book. Or daydream. Time to rest.
We need rest in more than just a physical sense. We need to learn to rest spiritually as well.
"Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him." (Psalm 37:7 NASB)
The word that is translated rest in this verse means to be silent, to be still, to stand still. It depicts the state of being motionless. It indicates the absence of emotional distress and the ability to be quiet and relax.
That kind of rest comes from knowing who God is, by having confidence in His character, by not only believing in God, but by believing God. By trusting Him. It comes from a settled assurance that God is who He says He is, that He has done everything He says He has done, and that He will do everything He says He will do.
Rest. We need it. Both physically and spiritually. But it doesn't always come naturally to us. We have to be intentional about resting.
We have to learn how to rest. The first step is to be still.
"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalm 46:10 ESV)
I came across this quote on Facebook yesterday and it really struck a chord with me. This idea of rest is one I've been pondering for a while. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that I have been pondering the lack of rest, or resting, or restfulness that characterizes life in 21st century America.
Rest: (noun) the refreshing quiet or repose of sleep; refreshing ease or inactivity; relief or freedom, especially from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs; mental or spiritual calm, tranquility.
(verb) to refresh oneself, as by sleeping or relaxing; to relieve weariness by cessation of exertion; to be at ease; to be quiet or still. (definitions taken from Dictionary.com)
Would anyone dispute that people are very busy these days? Over-worked. Over-tired. Stressed. In need of some rest and relaxation.
Unfortunately, people don't seem to know how to rest any more. And somehow we have come to equate being busy with being productive. Which is not necessarily the case. As a culture, we're always on the go. Always busy. Always in a hurry. Always have too much to do. And if we aren't busy and in a hurry and on the go, we seem to think there's a problem. That something is wrong with us or wrong in our lives because we aren't busy enough. We complain about being too busy and we complain when we aren't busy. When we don't have every minute of every day filled with some activity, we complain that we are bored. And somehow we have convinced ourselves that if we take time to rest, there is something wrong with us. That we must be deficient in some way if we admit a need for rest and relaxation. That we must be terribly lazy if we choose some down-time.
None of that is actually true. But we have convinced ourselves that it is. And so the result is that we don't rest. We don't allow ourselves time to rest. Maybe we don't even know how to rest.
But our bodies were designed to need rest. And not getting enough rest has consequences. Among these consequences, according to webmd.com, are
illness, including serious illnesses like heart disease and stroke; forgetfulness; depression; weight gain; aging skin; and a host of other things. So it would seem that this might be something we should pay more attention to!
We need to learn how to rest. I'm not just talking about getting a certain number of hours sleep each night. I'm talking about resting. Relaxing. Building some leisure into our schedules. Being intentional about resting and relaxing. Taking some time to do nothing. To take a nap. Or read a book. Or daydream. Time to rest.
We need rest in more than just a physical sense. We need to learn to rest spiritually as well.
"Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him." (Psalm 37:7 NASB)
The word that is translated rest in this verse means to be silent, to be still, to stand still. It depicts the state of being motionless. It indicates the absence of emotional distress and the ability to be quiet and relax.
That kind of rest comes from knowing who God is, by having confidence in His character, by not only believing in God, but by believing God. By trusting Him. It comes from a settled assurance that God is who He says He is, that He has done everything He says He has done, and that He will do everything He says He will do.
Rest. We need it. Both physically and spiritually. But it doesn't always come naturally to us. We have to be intentional about resting.
We have to learn how to rest. The first step is to be still.
"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalm 46:10 ESV)
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