Why is rest so important?

The last long post I wrote you guys told you of all my plans for summer. But summer has a crazy way of throwing you for a spin. We get back from our vacation and our oven had blown it's control panel, our roof had a leak, and it was time to take both vehicles in to get new windshields. What with contractors and car appointments and all the phone calls necessary, my days were filled. 

My lovely plan of trying out new recipes and being purposeful with the kids reading ... yeah, that was throw for a loop. I found out exactly how useful my old cast iron pan was when I learned how to cook just about everything in it on our Weber grill. I'm talking green beans, mac and cheese, and browning hamburger meat. I got creative on the grill for a bit, but when you need to make a quick meal, you do what you gotta do.

So the oven is fixed now and I am going to start learning new recipes and such. But the reason I bring up all my summer woes is because I had to keep reminding myself to rest in the midst of all of it.

Rest is integral in forward momentum. Without it, you forget why you are even moving in the first place. Rest stops the day in day out to let you connect with your own heart and your family. And these things are the real joys of life.

Rest is counter-intuitive. It often feels unproductive and useless. But it is entirely the opposite. It allows you to clear you mind of any stress and after resting, I usually find that my peace is more intact, my vision is clearer, and I have energy to move ahead.

Resting is a command of God. In the beginning, God instructed us to rest or sabbath. When God is discussing the feasts and appointed times to meet with God, the Sabbath was mentioned as a holy day, set apart to meet with Him. Take time to honor this command and spend time meeting with God.

Rest is meant to rejuvenate your soul. It is vital to remaining healthy in all areas of your life.

Rest reminds me to wait on the Lord. Waiting on the Lord isn't a passive activity. Think about when you go to a restaurant ... your waiter is moving around, purposefully, waiting on you. They are not sitting idly by your table. They are pressing into what they know they are called to. Rest reminds me to stay diligent before the Lord. It reminds me to keep my ear bent to His voice, and my heart bent towards His heart towards me. When I am wondering the next steps, it keeps me postured, waiting on His direction, yet resting in His presence.

 This summer, I am still working on all of my goals, but I am doing it with intentional rest. For the kids sake, and mine. What are some ways that you can rest, not just vege out on electronics, but truly rest? How can you make time to do it today? What are some ways that you can wait upon the Lord?

Bless

___________, I bless you in the name of Jesus. I bless you to rest in the presence of Jesus Christ. I bless you to find clarity in your innermost parts and to know His leading in your life.

Declare

I declare that I will purpose to rest. I will take time to obey the command of the Lord, and I will expect to renew my spirit. I will wait upon His timing, His movement and His direction. I will rest in Him.