This has been a great week. Busier than most for me at this time of year, but fruitful. Given the rainy weather, I often stayed indoors and missed opportunities to behold the beauty of God’s creation. It also meant that I didn’t take the time to REST in between sessions. Today’s Holy Nougat invites us to be intentional to make time with God.
“Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.” Mark 6:31 NLT
REST & Peace; not Rest IN Peace
Siblings, I’ve heard of a few sudden death cases and of persons succumbing to terminal illnesses recently. From time to time I wonder what would be different for those departed folk, and for us, had we opted to take better care of ourselves. My dear siblings, that includes rest. To the best of our knowledge, we receive the gift of 24 hours, at the start of each day, the expectation is that we use it wisely.
If we fail to do so, our bodies eventually succumb to the constant wear and tear we impose on it. Hypertension, stroke, diabetes, and cancer are some common consequences that come to mind. When these besetting illnesses hit; they shift the natural flow of our bodies and our quality of life. That being said, we find ourselves taking enforced rest that also affects our rhythms and routines. For some of us, we never recover enough to enjoy the simple things.
Essentially, our decisions about how we spend our 24 hour-gift each day has the potential to change some of this. One critical decision is taking Time Out. My pastor friend advocates the principle of the ‘Nap Ministry’. I suspect that the theologian who birthed the idea had been reading this nougat. For we’re told that Jesus’ invitation for Rest was a response to the high volume of persons visiting them.
Whether we are involved in full-time ministry or other pursuits, we must pause and regroup, especially when it seems all is well. Inasmuch as Advent is about waiting (quietly), perhaps it’s an invitation for REST, literally and spiritually. So as we seek to Rejuvenate, Eliminate Stress and Toxic patterns; might we take the time to – Remain in Christ our Peace
– Embrace all He offers
– Stay focused on His Love and
– Trust Him with all we’re doing
That’s a formula for REST that leads us to Peace in Jesus.
Or would we prefer to perpetually Rest In Peace?
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May all we seek be found in Christ
