Learn to Rest in the Lord
I thank the Lord that he loves me even when I rest. For some reason grasping this concept is like trying to catch a slippery fish. This is true for me. What has your experience been?
Our Latin American director for Mission to the World (MTW), Bill Yarbrough has been mentoring me in growing in my inner life. In this process he’s encouraged me to stop and to create space and a rhythm in my life that helps me to grow closer to the Father. Bill’s not just a boss, but a friend!
Bill asked me about my sabbath rest. As I reflected on that I realized that my rest isn’t as rich as it could be. When I expressed my struggle to Bill he reminded me that I am loved even when I rest.
How Do I Block Out All the Noise?
I think I get that at least to some degree, and it’s not like I don’t rest physically. The trouble is when I seek rest for my soul, spiritual rest there are so many things that begin to crowd out the quiet. I start worrying about what I have to do today, or about a ministry situation that isn’t going the way I would like it to go.
I feel like this pattern is a lot like what Martha struggled with when Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the better thing to sit at his feet. I want to become more like Mary and less like Martha.
The last two days I’ve been in some invigorating meetings with church planters from around the U.S. and Mexico. Three of the guys that shared spoke about the importance of maintaining our intimacy with Jesus. Two of the pastors said that they felt like they were so focused on the ministry that their relationship with the Lord had waned. They had to get alone with God and restore their first love.
Unfortunately, I found that I could relate to them.
There’s so much to do, so much noise, so many distractions.
I don’t know how this is for you, but I think it is common in our culture whether you are serving in vocational ministry or not. We are a busy people. We don’t like to be still. Yet that’s what the Lord calls us to.
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” – Psalm 46:10
I’d appreciate your prayers for my family and for me that we will grow in and maintain an intimate relationship with our Abba, Father. Maybe you should pray for yourself in a similar way. We can’t take a break from growing deeper with Jesus. His mercies are new every morning. Our soul cries out and we long to know him better!
I’d love to hear from you. What have you found that has helped you to maintain a close and intimate walk with the Father?
In His Grip, Dave
DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org
6 Comments
By Kendall Lyons
This is so timely it’s ridiculous! Thank you SO much for sharing. I tend to get really fidgety when it comes to sitting around and resting.
By diasolifeontheborder
I’m the Lord used it to encourage you. We are all on this journey together, but there are a lot of things warring against us
By Larry Who
I’ve always spent lots of time in prayer each day, seeking Him and spending time in His presence. This discipline has been built up over thirty years. It’s now so much a part of my life that if I miss a day or two, I’m grumpy and in a less than perfect mood.
By diasolifeontheborder
Yes – I think the daily discipline is key. I find that even in that I have to slow down so it doesn’t just become a lifeless routine
By johnsburch
Dave, Today’s post was a great encouragement and something that I needed to hear. Thanks for sharing it with us.
John
John Burch 2100 Willow Chase Ct. Tucker, GA 30084 johnsburch@gmail.com 770 558 6028 – Home 404 863 7624 – cell
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By diasolifeontheborder
Glad to hear that the Lord used the post to encourage you. We are on this journey together, and we have to help each other along the way.
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