Monday Morning Encouragement -- Choose Rest

"And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” Mark 6:31

About a month ago I made a conscious decision to pull away from some of the things I do at home, and to spend more time at rest. It started when I realized I would have to add more hours at work to make up for some hits to my bank account. Oral surgery, a new roof on my storage shed, other home repairs. . .you get the idea. I could feel the pressure (and weariness) mounting, and I do NOT like that feeling. 

I've been using this time of rest to spend more time reading and meditating on Scripture, enjoying Creation, and simply focusing on my relationship with my Heavenly Father. Talking to Him, appreciating Him, being mindful of His constant presence and love, and responding with worship. It's been a life changing experience, and something I want to continue. 

Jesus regularly made time to get away to be alone with His Father and rest, and He taught His disciples to do the same. We can fill our lives with busyness and miss that one thing that is most important: to "come away" with Jesus and rest. 

Currently my financial need requires working more hours, and God is graciously giving me the strength to do so, but clearly He wants me to recharge my batteries when I'm away from my job. Coming away and spending time with Him refreshes my body, soul and spirit, and I'm more relaxed at work (which I'm sure my co-workers appreciate). 

Resting from busyness and drawing close to God is a choice we have to make. No one can make it for us. As Pastor David Legg says:

"Now listen: this rest was not just an absence of work - for some of you that is Saturday or even Sunday, or a Friday afternoon or some other day in the week where you cease employment and therefore rest ensues. This was more than just an absence of work, this was a decision to suspend work. They decided to stop what they were doing and draw aside. Now some people think: 'I'm going to wait for a day when it will be convenient for me to take a rest', or spiritually, 'I'm going to wait for a day when it will be convenient for me to draw close to the Lord'. What happens? It never happens! Waiting for something that is within our own power to do is ridiculous! We ourselves have the choice to, as James said, draw near to God and He will draw near to us.'" 

Today's music video Come Away by the Maranatha Singers is so precious and beautiful. It's a gentle song of Jesus inviting us to come away with Him. I hope it will bless you.

I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying for you.