Today, I decided to rest. To take a break from house work, from all kinds of work. Lately, I have had many weekends like this- where I decide to do nothing.
But unfortunately, even when my body is not working, my mind is. It takes a lot of mental power to restrain my body from finding some activity, any activity, and I need to counsel myself to not do stuff just so that I can feel productive. "Activity does not mean progress", I say to myself , but not long after that I feel the guilt as my conscience condemns me of laziness and wasting what could have been a "productive" day.
This pattern reminds me of my faith in Christ. It is a real blessing to trust in the Son of God as the hope of salvation and eternal life. Rarely, though, do you see one who really 'rests' in Him.
What is involved in resting Him? It involves believing in the One whom God has sent (John 6:29). This verse struck me years ago because of its straightforward reply to a question that weighs the hearts of men down: What must we do to do the work God requires?
The simple answer to believe is the beginning of our rest. That belief is accompanied by a relationship where you know that God's promises are true and steadfast. For me, when I find myself anxious about tomorrow, I remember and believe in God's provision (as He promised in Luke 12:22-24). When I am reminded of my sin and the state of my heart, I remember and believe His promise in Ezekiel 36:25-27 that He will give me a new heart and cause me to walk in His statutes.
So I strive to rest in Him, I rest from labours that are fruitless without dwelling in the vine (John 15:5). I trust Him to be my wisdom and my guide.
So when I feel the guilt for my sin, and I am heavy laden, I go to Christ to find rest in Him.
But unfortunately, even when my body is not working, my mind is. It takes a lot of mental power to restrain my body from finding some activity, any activity, and I need to counsel myself to not do stuff just so that I can feel productive. "Activity does not mean progress", I say to myself , but not long after that I feel the guilt as my conscience condemns me of laziness and wasting what could have been a "productive" day.
This pattern reminds me of my faith in Christ. It is a real blessing to trust in the Son of God as the hope of salvation and eternal life. Rarely, though, do you see one who really 'rests' in Him.
What is involved in resting Him? It involves believing in the One whom God has sent (John 6:29). This verse struck me years ago because of its straightforward reply to a question that weighs the hearts of men down: What must we do to do the work God requires?
The simple answer to believe is the beginning of our rest. That belief is accompanied by a relationship where you know that God's promises are true and steadfast. For me, when I find myself anxious about tomorrow, I remember and believe in God's provision (as He promised in Luke 12:22-24). When I am reminded of my sin and the state of my heart, I remember and believe His promise in Ezekiel 36:25-27 that He will give me a new heart and cause me to walk in His statutes.
So I strive to rest in Him, I rest from labours that are fruitless without dwelling in the vine (John 15:5). I trust Him to be my wisdom and my guide.
So when I feel the guilt for my sin, and I am heavy laden, I go to Christ to find rest in Him.
Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest - Jesus
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