02/13/2022
As Christians we are not immune to the high intensity 24x7 world we live in, but unlike those who are unbelievers, we have a very special relief from the sleeplessness, exhaustion, anxiety, and other negative repercussions of this amped up modern world. Our world is so expectant, and highly charged that it can harm our bodies and minds if we remain fully engaged in it, but Jesus promises us rest… are we taking advantage of it? Do we even know how?
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.””
Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
I know two men who the fast paced nature of the world around them had negative effects on. Both are related to me… one living and the other now deceased. These two were both highly intelligent, and ambitious. They were strong believers, and sought corporate careers that were intense, and filled with pressure. Both excelled, one managing factories, and inventing equipment, while the other worked in computers, writing and installing complex computer systems. Both men rose quickly in their companies achieving high positions, but this wasn’t without a price. The intensity of their professions began to have a negative affect on their health, both physical, and mental. However, the financial and other rewards of their chosen professions were too great to let go of; so they continued at them until they reached a point where they could go no further.
“My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me. And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah”
Psalm 55:4-7 ESV
One was facing a nervous breakdown, and the other had physical issues related to living for years with high anxiety, and pressure. Interestingly, one was able to wander away by retiring early to escape his situation, and the other returned to a simpler life on his father’s farm where he lived off the land. As I mentioned, both of these men were men of faith, so how did they the reach this point of despair where stress and anxiety had taken such a toll on them?
“Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.”
Hebrews 4:1, 8-11 ESV
The Sabbath is one day a week in which we are commanded to rest, and do no work. We are instructed in scripture that no one in our house is to work on that day, and that we are to keep it holy (separate for God). This is the Sabbath, but the idea of the Sabbath, of resting with God, should not be limited to a single designated day. We should have noticed in our opening scripture that Jesus did not mention the Sabbath day, but offered rest simply by coming to Him, and taking His yoke. He offered us the “idea” of the Sabbath… resting with Him. Do we find any rest in our lives? Do we actually rest on the day of Sabbath? How about during the work week? Do we make our prayers just another hectic business meeting? Do we bring our intense lives into our prayer closet and rush through our prayers as if we were being paid by the word, or in order to ask everything we need to ask God, who we have booked this time with, before we rush back to our busy lives?
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
I have a prayer chair, and I spend an extended amount time in it each day. When I am there with God I feel separated from the world, and at peace. I don’t consider myself to be calling God down from Heaven to visit with me there, no, I feel as though I am entering into Heaven itself when I am talking with Him. I am leaving this world, and all the troubles I have, and am transported into His presence where I wait on Him, feel His peace, and can rest in Him.
“And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.”
Mark 6:31 ESV
It is the same during my workday. I take time during my day to rest by praying, and to separate myself from the intense activity that is swirling around me. I take my job with me to Heaven in those moments and ask my Heavenly Father how best to accomplish whatever is frothing the water that day. This respite gives me peace, and changes my disposition by calming my spirit in the midst of whatever storm I find myself in.
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!”
Psalm 37:7 ESV
So, whether we are in our quiet places of prayer at home, in our car traveling, or at work, we can find peace, and rest in God, and Jesus Christ. We can be transported to Heaven by a single hallowed word… Father, Abba, Lord, or any other of God’s names. Our lives can be changed by rest, or perhaps the Lord will redirect us. Maybe He will send us to our father’s farm, or tell us to retire to a quiet life, maybe He will give us a calling to serve Him in some other capacity. Whatever it is, it will be here that we will find rest… in His presence. Do we understand now, and know where to turn when our modern world begins to take a toll on us?
Join me now by gently breathing in “Je” and exhaling “sus.” Then breathing in “Yah” and exhaling “weh”. In these names we will find our quiet place, and the entrance to rest in our lives… let’s repeat them a few more times until a sense of calm comes over us, then let’s open our eyes in Heaven and speak with God.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for allowing us to come into your presence in prayer, and for the peace, and rest we find there. Calm our spirits Lord as we enter into Heaven itself, and you change our lives with your Word, and Love. We pray “Our Father who art in Heaven”, and kneeling in your presence we find you have brought us there with you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is at peace, and in whose Son Jesus we find rest. Praised be your name Lord for every storm in which we have found the calm, peace, and rest of its eye by calling on you. Merciful are you who delivers us from sin through the blood of Jesus, and gives rest to our weary minds, hearts, and souls. How amazing is your grace that restores us as we say your name, and call upon you for guidance. Wash us in the blood of Jesus, hear our prayers offered in His name. Then, judge us worthy of worshiping you in heaven forevermore, and give us your peace, rest, and joy for all eternity… never to tire, not to shed a tear.
“And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.””
Mark 2:27-28 ESV
Rich Forbes