Rest seems to be a theme I keep coming back to. Even before I began writing this series, Dream Big, Celebrate Small, I used — and maybe overused– this word in many of my posts and personal writings. By nature, I’m a striver or doer, yet I’m rarely satisfied with what I get done in a day. God has used my time in this country where it can be time-consuming and taxing to accomplish small tasks to teach me to slow down and rest.
But this doesn’t mean I throw on my robe and slippers and retire to my couch at 10 am. Resting in the work of the Lord doesn’t alleviate me from doing the work of dreaming big and celebrating small. Resting in Him means I do all I can and know to do and leave the rest to Him.
When I rest in Him, I still show up and chase my big dreams in marriage, motherhood, and missional living, but I do it all knowing He’s ready for me when I need a soft place to land. And when I do crash into His care, I know there’s no judgment there. I am heir to His righteousness, a co-laborer with Him, and a victor just because He’s won my heart with His great love.
I can rest in Him when good work gives way to weariness. I can rest in Him when discouragement knocks me off my feet. I can rest in Him when those that wish to derail my efforts to serve Him well succeed in their attempts. I can rest in Him all day, every day as I labor and lead this wild life He’s called me to live out for His glory. The work He does in my marriage, family, and ministry doesn’t stop when I do because our mighty God is at work around the clock in every time zone.
All that in mind, it’s clear to me — rest is best when it’s in His hands.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28-29
How can you rest in Him today?
Talk to me in the comment section below!
Rest is so important.
I’m learning this.
This is such a hard lesson to learn and one I am striving in now. Thank you for sharing with us what God is teaching you in your personal life. God could not have brought it before my eyes at any better time. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing this with me, Rachel. So humbled and blessed God would use the simple truths He speaks to me in your life. Thanks for reading!
I am copying this down: rest is doing all I can and know to do and leaving the rest to Him. So sums up what I have been trying to tell my heart!! This was a great post for me today – such impact. Thanks for sharing!
So thankful this could speak to your heart, Jennifer. I’m constantly telling this to myself, too!
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