REST

Rest.

Such a simple word—four measly letters. Yet we avoid it like the plague. We run from it like it holds a contagious virus. How many sermons have we heard about the importance of taking time to be still and seek God’s face? How many books have we scoured in pursuit of answers for the churning of our hearts? And yet still we run. Still we strive. Still we fill our lives with mirages of hope. And then we wonder why we feel so run down.

I spent the last week resting. No demands. No schedule. No appointments. Just me, my lawn chair, and an incredible view. When you stare at something like this, it’s hard to keep moving. The only possible response is to stand frozen (or in my case sit) in awe.

I know what you’re thinking.

“Sure, if all I had to do today was sit in a lawn chair and drink a margarita, I’d be feeling pretty rested too! But that’s not my view in the morning. My view is a pile of dirty dishes, a to-do list with a million things on it, and a life coming apart at the seams.”

But what if this was our view? What if we took the time to see this every single day? Maybe I’m just crazy—but what if we stopped? Stopped running. Stopped searching. Stopped filling? What would happen if we took the time really seek THE FACE that puts the azure of the ocean to shame?

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14

I like Google’s definition of the word rest:

Rest

Verb:	Cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength. Remain or be left in a specified condition: "rest assured".
Noun:	An instance or period of relaxing or ceasing to engage in strenuous or stressful activity. The remaining part of something.

Did you see the last definition?

The remaining part of something.

Although I experienced a much needed rest for my body this week, I discovered something far greater. When we allow ourselves to be consumed with busyness, we lose something. We lose ourselves in the mess of our chaos. We forget what really matters, and we end up striving, searching, filling. When we stop, we find the parts of ourselves we’ve lost along the way. Those deep parts of our soul that slowly die each day. We also find the parts of God we miss because we don’t give him half a chance to show up.

Is it feasible to imagine our real lives as the lawn chairs overlooking vistas of awe-inspiring grandeur?

I challenge you this week to seek God's face. Let me know what you see. I have a feeling it will blow you away far more than the picture I've posted here.

 

Psalm 27:8

My heart has heard You say, "Come and talk with Me." And my heart responds, "Lord, I am coming."