Have you ever felt that you just needed to rest? If you’re like me, then I know what that answer is. Yes! In the month of December, I knew I needed to rest. I didn’t know what the New Year would hold or what God would have for me in the month of January, but I knew that I needed to simply relax for a while and take a break from all that I had on my plate.
As I was still and quiet with God, I reflected on how often we feel that resting means being unproductive. We have a mistaken belief that resting shows laziness and that we should always be doing something. Well, what if I told you that resting IS doing something? Let me explain. In the creation account, God rested on the seventh day. He rested from all His work. He took an entire day to do what He had not done in the six days of creation. He rested. By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done. (Genesis 2:2-3 NIV)
God blessed the day of rest and made it holy. How wonderful! We can speak of His blessings in our time of rest. We can look back at all that we have been doing and speak forth His blessings. The fact that God made this day of rest holy is very significant. Holy means the washing of his word. Holy is purification. Holy is cleansing us from all that we have been attached to and giving ourselves to Him. Isn’t that beautiful?
This time of rest allows us to clear our minds and hearts and refresh our spirits. God knows what we need to move forward. He knows that we need to rest everything in us so we can run the race He’s called us to run. Even Jesus withdrew from the crowds to be alone and pray. Were there still needs among the people? Yes! Were people there relying on Him for answers? Yes! Did Jesus act in selfishness when He went away to rest? Absolutely not. He knew that for Him to go on, He just needed to rest. It was important. Not only for Him, but for the work that His heavenly Father called Him to do. In Luke 2:29, Jesus says, “I am about my Father’s business.” That sure doesn’t sound selfish to me.
So, if you know you need to rest—it’s okay! The world will keep spinning when you do. God created it that way. I have to share with you a little secret. I so rested in the month of December, that I forgot to write a blog for you. Did you keep on going? Yes! Did God get me for not writing to you? Absolutely not. In fact, I believe it was all orchestrated by God. A special time just for you to receive His message. There are no coincidences with God. He knew what you needed and went before you to deliver this right on-time word. Rest in Him today. Speak forth His blessings, and know that His divine plan will continue to be fulfilled in your life—even when you take time out to rest!