That 4-Letter Word….Rest

I was drawn to the word “rest” after our diehard president was forced to stop and rest when he tested positive for the C-virus. A few days ago, I heard him respond to an interviewer’s question: “What symptoms were you having before you tested positive for the coronavirus?” He responded: “I just didn’t feel the energy that I normally do. Everyone knows me – I am always so full of energy.” We’ve also heard how his kids will call him and he’s still working in his office at 1 or 2 am. As proud I am of his many accomplishments while in office, and as proud he is of his ability to work long and hard……he AND the rest of us….need to come to terms with the importance of R-E-S-T!

Psalm 23:2 is ever so true: “He makes me lie down in green pastures”. I was the energizer bunny, too, as a young mom who worked a full-time job, had many other responsibilities, including teaching Bible Studies, in charge of women’s ministries, children’s choir, organist, and taking care of my very busy husband and two young children. For many years, I also knew what acute colitis was because of the stress and strain and relentless unrest in my life. My Christian doctor schooled me about my need for rest.

In this present season of my life, I sometimes feel a little guilty about the rest mode that I get to be in. And, so does my 98-year-old mother-in-law. If you catch her dozing in her recliner, she’ll say “Oh, I was just closing my eyes to rest them!” I think it was our go-go-go mentality that we thought we shouldn’t stop until we dropped. But, I’ve turned that corner. I know we shouldn’t be ashamed of rest. I know I earned it after those many years of the sun-up to sundown non-stop-mode.

I’ve come to know that not resting means that we are not giving sufficient time to our Lord to refresh, renew and restore us. So here I am in this season of my life and I have learned what rest looks like. I know that if I don’t get enough sleep at night, that I need to make up for it with a little nap in the daytime that I used to feel guilty about. I thought I didn’t have enough time in the day to manage a few minutes of rest. Now I know the importance of rest. Take it from our God, our great role model. “On the seventh day, God had finished His work of creation, so He rested from all His work.” (Genesis 2:2)

Maybe someone reading this today is feeling physically and mentality spent — completely exhausted from stress and overload. Could this message be heaven-sent to you today? Could God be urging you to stop for a while to reload, recharge and restore? Wouldn’t it be a good thing to go nestle down in some green pastures — where your body and soul can find rest and peace? Go ahead – follow our Leader to His green pastures of rest and restoration!