Why Take The Time To Rest?

In our world of productivity, climbing the ladder, preparing for the future, worrying over the world situation, and trying to keep everything else in perspective, who has time to rest? Apparaently even one of the largest of all of God's creations takes time to rest.

This long-necked giraffe found a place to rest his head and neck for a period of time. The truth is that we all need rest. Rest is part of our daily life cycle routine. While most of us are fully aware of our need for rest, we sometimes think that we can neither slow down or stop for even a brief period of time. We mistakenly believe that we are either indispensible to our work or that we have super powers and don't require rest.

I am a person who requires a regular amount of rest both when my health is great or when I have an illness. Rest is a necessary element to my being able to function properly. Yet even knowing this, I need reminders to cause me to take the time for genuine rest. There are two passages of scripture that grab my attention regarding rest and the reasons for it.

The first of these are the words of Jesus found in Matthew 11:28-30.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in

heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Let's be honest with each other and ourselves. We all reach those points where weariness and the weight of the burdens we are carrying become more that we can bear. Jesus says to come to Him for rest. Part of that rest is found in being joined with Him as a pair of oxen were joined together with a yoke. An older, well trained ox carried the majority of the yoke and work as a means to help train a younger and less experienced ox. Jesus is saying that He can shoulder the weight if we will only come to Him. One of my favorite old hymns is "Just a Closer Walk with Thee." One of the verses contains these words - "I am weak but thou art strong. Jesus keep me from all wrong." Both the scripture and the song remind us of our need to rest in Jesus.

The second scripture that relates is found in the Old Testament. In Psalm 46:10 we are reminded 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."

Rest and stillness go together. When I never stop, I also have little time to learn or listen. But when I am still, I can hear what is being said and can process truth. God says for us to take time to be still. Why? So that we may know that He alone is God and to hear what He wants from our lives. Are we on the right path? Are our attitudes and actions what He desires from us? Is all of our activity making a real difference in helping others become aware of the love and truth of God?

We can be very busy but accomplishing nothing that honors God. We all need to stop, be still, rest in Him, and get our lives on the path that He created for us. What steps will you take today to rest in the Lord, and learn from Him?

May you have a restful week in the Lord.