REST: The Serenity of God’s Embrace

​REST: The Serenity of God’s Embrace Dear Heavenly Father, help me and my fellow Christ-followers to better REST in you. Child, come to me and I will give you much more than the rest that you seek. I will give you SERENITY. All: In our intensely fast-paced world, the...

​

REST: The Serenity of God’s Embrace

Dear Heavenly Father, help me and my fellow Christ-followers to better REST in you.

Child, come to me and I will give you much more than the rest that you seek. I will give you SERENITY.

All: In our intensely fast-paced world, the quest for peace and rest is a common pursuit. Burnout is everywhere, and if we don’t take time to rest and recharge, we lose our effectiveness.

Child, I have you here at the beach to rest. You don’t have to “do” anything. Just rest in me. Just spend time with me.

Father God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, thank you for that rest!

All: As evangelical Christians, we believe that true rest can only be found in the presence of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For those of us who have been walking with Christ for a while as Christ-followers, it is easy to come into that place of rest during our quiet times of prayer and meditation. The key for me, and perhaps for you, is to STAY in that REST.

CHRIST PROMISES REST

Jesus Christ beckons us with open arms, offering us a solace that the world cannot give. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus INVITES US INTO HIS REST: “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.” This passage affirms the profound comfort and peace that comes from surrendering our lives to Christ.

Yes, my child. Anytime you seek me, and my rest, you will find me, if you are sincerely pursuing me and my rest, and not your own agenda. Let go of what you think REST should look like. Allow me to lead you into peace and serenity.

SABBATH REST

The concept of rest is also deeply rooted in the observance of the Sabbath. In Exodus 20:8-11, the scripture says, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God.” The Sabbath serves as a reminder of God’s creation and as an opportunity to pause from our labors, reflect on God’s goodness, and rejuvenate our spirits.

Dear child, there are also extra “Sabbaths” that I want you to have, like the one you are having today with me.

FINDING PEACE IN TRIALS

Life is filled with challenges, and at times, the weight of these challenges can feel insurmountable. Philippians 4:6-7 offers guidance during such times: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Trusting God and laying our concerns at His feet brings a supernatural peace that steadies us through life’s storms.

REST FOR OUR SOULS

In a world where the pursuit of physical and mental well-being is ever so prevalent, we must not forget the importance of tending to our souls. Psalm 62:5 says, “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.” The soul finds its ultimate rest when it is in communion with its Creator. We need to cultivate our relationship with God through prayer, worship, and reading His word.

RESTORNING RELATIONSHIPS

Inevitably, as we navigate through life, relationships may suffer. Reconciliation and forgiveness play an important role in finding rest within these relationships. Colossians 3:13 reads, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Through forgiveness, we release the burden of hurt and allow God’s healing to restore relationships and our hearts.

CONCLUSION

As we seek rest in our lives, let us remember that true rest – for the body, mind, and soul – is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. By observing the Sabbath, trusting in Him through trials, tending to our souls, and fostering forgiveness in relationships, we can experience the rest that He promises. As Psalm 4:8 beautifully proclaims, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

Thank you Lord!

Your aspiring (and resting) servant,
Daniel M.
30 June 2023

POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent conversation with God blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, reach out at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily Conversations with Christ.