Get Some Rest

Be still, and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:14

It took thirty-eight years and a fearful visit to the ER to make it sink in, but Louis finally learned his lesson. The thought of dying from a heart attack and a hefty hospital bill helped it sink in a little, too. For years, people had been telling Louis to slow down, to rest more and to take it easy. But until he was wheeled into the hospital on a stretcher, Louis has always figured that rest was for wimps, for lazy people, people who couldn’t hack it. Since then, Louis has actually taken his vacation time each year. His wife and his colleagues at work have noticed that Louis seems to get a lot more done at work and is in a better way while going about his business.

Do you have bags under your eyes that won’t go away? Having difficulty concentrating at work? At home? As odd as it sounds, are you having trouble sleeping at night?

Rest, true rest, is more than just getting a good night’s sleep. You could say that it’s about putting your worries, fears and anxieties to rest.

It’s tough to break out of the cycle once you’re in it. Working hard and busy-ness have to be some of the most popular and socially acceptable ways to cope, and to live, that there are. Not many people are called out onto the carpet for working too hard, and even less for “keeping busy.” But work hard for what..and keep busy with what? Too often “busy-ness” can be an attempt to prove ourselves worthwhile or to feel good about ourselves. It can even be that we work hard and keep busy to cover up feelings that we aren’t worthwhile. It’s also time to put that pattern of living to rest, too.

The writer of Psalm 46 expresses something God would have us remember. “Be still and know that I am God.” Too often, when we’re busy, we can’t and won’t see the things that God has done and is doing in our lives. We forget that our worth doesn’t come from what we do, but from what God has done for us. We forget that our job is to be faithful with what God has given to us, not “to be in control.” It seems simple to say, “God is God and we’re not.” We know that in our minds, but in our hearts it’s sometimes a different story. Why else would we try to take on by ourselves what God has already taken care of?

During these summer months, how about including some time for the Lord? It’s only in Him that we find rest. Only in Him that our worries, fears and anxieties can truly be put to rest. Through His Word, God will enable you to “be still.” He will remind you once again who He is and what He had done.

So, it’s good advice, isn’t it? You need a rest. Everyone does. And God can provide it.