Rest on the Run

I read a great article this morning on how the world has shaped the Church, especially in the west. We live in such affluence. Even the poorest of those around us sometimes have more here than those in other parts of the world. This current generation in the United States has been raised in comfort and opportunity and plenty. I fear that it has shaped their thinking, and ours, to believe that even as believers we can achieve the perfect life. Or at least the kind that keeps us happy and safe and content. But we forget that we are on a journey. That we are called to be salt and light. That we can do all things as long as we allow Jesus to be our strength.


I think that we believe that rest is all about sitting still. About not doing anything. About making sure that we get the all inclusive vacation or the theme park escape from reality or the weekly massage, facial and pedicure. Things that give us a chance to relax and regroup. And, all of those things are great. They do give us a chance to stop the craziness and focus on ourselves. But they do not give us the rest that our soul craves.


We can rest while on the run. But only if we have taken the time to renew our minds. To feed on God's Word. To listen to His voice. Only then do we know what path we need to be on. As our soul learns to rest; our crazy, busy lives take on a new meaning. We begin to see the world and the people and the needs around us. We don't just look for the thing that makes us comfortable. We don't just expect the perfect marriage, the perfect children, the perfect life. We begin to look at our comforts as blessings and gifts. As we rest in Him, we then use all of those things to point the people around us to the Gift-giver.


We live in a world of instant gratification. We have raised a generation that feels entitled to the good life. And we serve a God who graciously and abundantly gives us these things. When we seek first His Kingdom. And in that seeking comes the rest we need to move forward in the proper perspective.


Sometimes the hard things of life overwhelm us. We don't want to stop because then we have to feel and think. Sometimes we are in a place where we can't stop or we will sink. Sometimes when we finally do stop, we are so frustrated and overwhelmed that the last thing we want to do is listen to that still small voice. But that is exactly where our rest comes from. From knowing the One who gave us this crazy life in the first place.


"God’s rest is not essentially physical at all. Certainly, resting in God and trusting in His promises can relieve us of nervousness, tenseness, and other physical problems. But these are by-products of His rest. Many cults promise their followers happiness, wealth, and health in this life. The Bible does not. The rest God promises is spiritual, not physical. Whatever physical or earthly benefits the Lord may give us, His basic promise is to give us spiritual rest, spiritual blessing. Some of God’s most faithful believers are the busiest, the hardest working, and sometimes even the most afflicted people imaginable. Yet they are in God’s salvation rest." ~ John MacArthur


We can rest on the run. As long as we allow Jesus to go along too!


Resting with Him this weekend. I hope you do too!