June 5, 2015
God’s Best Requires Rest, Part One
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
Truly my soul finds rest in God. (Psalm 62:1)
Friend to Friend
My friend Cammie is a children’s ministry director at a local church. One day, as she was preparing for the lesson she would teach on Sunday morning, she had an idea for a fun illustration that would require a few props. She asked her four-year-old daughter to help.
“Hey, Taylor! Can you please bring me a few of the Fisher Price people from your dollhouse?”
This reply came from her preschooler who was sitting across the room…
“No, Mom. They just want to chill out. They’ve had a long day.”
So funny… yet so not funny.
My word, people! When our children’s toys need a break, you know that it’s time for you and me to hit the pause button.
And, truth be told, I live smack dab in the messy middle of this tension.
The Old Testament indicates that David lived in the messy middle of it too. The Bible says that the Lord made David take a break. Yes. He made him do it. Look: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Hemakes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” (Psalm 23:1-3, emphasis mine)
I love the way Psalm 23 verse 3 is paraphrased in The Message, “True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.”
Yes. Please.
This. This is the desire of my heart. That I can catch my breath and be sent in the right direction by a loving God who knows what is best.
So, I – you – we have to be intentional. Life comes at us fast. If we are not careful, the dizzy pace at which we live can unwittingly become our weakness and demise.
I know you know this. I do too and yet somehow it still trips us up.
So what’s a woman to do?
Let’s keep it real here; we have obligations. We have families, jobs, friends, communities, and churches that need us. And though this will look different for each of us in the many seasons of life, our people depend on us a ton. They should. God tells us to put our faith into action (James 2). And we must. We must mobilize the hope we have in Christ. Serve. Show love. Feed the hungry. Minister to the widows and orphans. Yes. We must be women of action.
The Bible gives a clear and compelling teaching, however, about this life-pace topic that establishes our first call to action must be focused on the Lord himself! This get-with-Jesus business is the key to us experiencing the maximum abundance that God has in store for every believer.
What it all boils down to is this: God’s BEST requires REST.
So simple…. Yet so complicated.
It was Augustine who wrote, “God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you.”
Let me take this one step further by breaking down what the Word of God shows us about this very thing. When we rest in the presence of God, He restores our souls. Rest is the central ingredient in the restoration we all desperately need. Just look at the first four letters of the word!
Today and tomorrow we are going to break down R.E.S.T. as an acronym and take a walk through Scripture to see just how God’s best for you is fueled by this discipline.
R.E.S.T. {Reflect. Engage. Surrender. Trust}
It all begins with reflection. There are two parts to this: reflecting ON God and allowing the Spirit of God to work within us so that we become better reflections OF God.
REFLECT on GOD:
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago I will meditate on all Your works and consider all your mighty deeds.” (Psalm 77:11-12)
“I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land.” (Psalm 143:5-6)
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)
REFLECT GOD:
“Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect Your principles!” (Psalm 119:5, NLT)
“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is Spirit.”
(2 Corinthians 3:18)
Oh, that we would be women of meaningful reflection.
Today let this truth sink in deep: when you reflect on God, you better reflect God.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, You are awesome and strong and gracious and kind. Your goodness knows no end. When I think about the ways You’ve brought hope, healing, and joy to my life I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Please help me to know you more – and to show you more – as I seek to find my rest in You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Grab your journal or a piece of paper and list:
- 3 works of God’s creation that you are grateful for
- 3 ways God has provided for you in the past
- 3 principles that God has called you to reflect in spite of your current challenges
Now, share your lists with someone! {Or at least the non-private part of your lists!} Post them on Facebook, tweet them out one at a time, or CLICK HEREto visit my blog and list them as a comment. Share the hope. Shine His love. Be the beauty.
More from the Girlfriends
Gwen Smith is a speaker, author, worship leader, and songwriter who wants to help you think big thoughts about God – and inspire you in the grace and truth of Jesus. Her website is filled with videos, posts, songs and resources that will be a deep well of encouragement to you. (Get 3 FREE song downloads when you sign up for her blog!)
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Girlfriends in God
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