To the one who Needs Rest
This exhausted life cannot be the life
Take care of yourself. Your peace of mind matters.
The most important investment is You.
How well do you prioritize your rest? I don't mean taking days off so that you can accomplish all of your chore and run errands that have been neglected for weeks. I'm also not talking about taking trips or getting massages and facials (although I co-sign all of this). The term self-care has gained popularity in our society over the past few years and although I think conversations about taking care of your needs are essential, this trendy term can be misleading.
How well do you prioritize rest?
Over the past few weeks God has been speaking to me about what it means to rest. I had been running myself absolutely tired and finally came to a point where my body literally stopped me in its tracks. Listen, by the time you get to the point that your body is no longer functioning at its full capacity, you have certainly gone too far. Why is it that it takes some drastic change to force myself into getting the rest that I need? Better yet, that I DESERVE? Some of the most searched content these days are how to deal with anxiety and how to do more with less time. Rushing from one place to the next and never fully stopping until I have arrived home at night. Exhausted. Overwhelmed.
In Exodus 16:28 we find the Lord upset with the children of Israel for not obeying his command, trusting in his provision, and resting in his promises. He commanded the children of Israel to do all of their work and to collect all of their manna (food from Heaven) 6 days out of the week. On the 7th day, the Sabbath day, they were instructed to rest and to not collect any manna. You see, the manna was provided to the children of Israel as food to eat in the wilderness after God delivered them from bondage in Egypt. The people complained about not having anything to eat and God provided just enough manna from Heaven for them to eat every single day. They were instructed to take only what they needed for that day because any leftover would spoil. On the 6th day, they recieve a double portion of manna so that they would not have to do any work on the Sabbath and they could rest. God always gave his people more than enough for each day. Unfortunately, some of the Israelites were still trying to work on the Sabbath, despite having all the manna that they needed. The Lord turns to Moses to ask, "How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions? They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord's gift to you. That is why He gives you a two-day supply on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must each stay in your place. Do not go out to pick up food on the seventh day." Exodus 16:28-29 NLT
God always gives His children enough grace for the day. You cannot waste today’s grace worrying about tomorrow’s troubles. Today’s strength is not sufficient for tomorrow’s struggles. Rest in what God has given you is enough.
Although these commands were given to the children of Israel many years ago, the same God who urged His people to rest back then is calling us to do the same. I want to dismantle some very destructive ideologies that have been placed on us by society. Rest is not something that you have to earn. You do not need to barter productivity for rest. It is your birthright as a child of the most high King. Rest is both a gift and a command from the Lord. How important is the quality of your life to Him, that He would command you to rest? You deserve it whether you accomplished everything on your list or you didn't get anything done all week. One day a week belongs to God as a gift to you. Do you know what happens when you surrender your mind, body, spirit, and time to the Lord for rest? He refreshes your soul and empowers you with the strength that you need to face the days ahead. Rest is productive my friend. Would you trust me and the word that God wants to share with you today? You will not miss anything that God has for you. You will never go wrong honoring God with your life and presenting yourself as a living sacrifice. What you will gain is peace, clarity, and strength. God will give you provision to get you through those days of rest just as he did the children of Israel. Jesus promises that finding discipline in his way of rest is easy and light (Matt 11:28-29b).
Rest is not something that you have to earn. You do not need to barter productivity for rest.
As you prepare for another week, ask God to show you how to take the burdens off of you and to lay them at his feet. Ask Him to help you obtain His ultimate rest one day this week. Stay tuned for my next blog post.
Jehovah is deeply in love with you ! I hope that you take hold of everything that God has for you this week.
Alyssa 