Thursday, December 6, 2007

Resting


Today I had to do the devotional for our bible study, so I just shared something that God has been teaching me this year. Something that I have been trying to incorporate into my life on a daily basis. I thought I would just share the same thing with
you.
God is teaching me to rest in Him. He has been faithful to show me how to rest in Him and He has been showing me what it means to rest in Him. I think that it starts first by remembering who He is.
I remember a time when my oldest son was begging me to let him do something and he was trying to make a deal with me. "Mom, if you let me do this, then I'll do anything you want me to do."
I smiled to myself and started thinking of a little job that he could do, but Kaleb paused and then interjected "Well, not anything. I mean, you might want me to do something bad or gross, and I won't do that."
I know this was such a small, silly thing, but to be honest, my feelings were hurt! "Doesn't he know me?" I thought to myself. "I would never make him do anything awful! I can't believe he doesn't trust me!" I then had to remind him of who he was talking to. I reminded him that he can trust me because I love him and whatever I ask him to do, it will be something that is ok.
When God is asking me to trust Him, I think my restlessness and resistance is because I've forgotten who He is. God is righteous. He is just. He is merciful. He is powerful. He is love. And He has authority over all things! I can trust Him. That
is how I can rest in Him.
So what does it look like to rest in Him? What does it mean?
The verse that God is using to teach me is Matthew 11:28-29. "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will have rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light."
When a young ox is being taught to do his masters field work, he is yoked with an older and more experienced ox. He basically just has to keep in step with the wizened ox while the elder directs where to go and pulls the plow. By getting into the yoke with Jesus, I am agreeing to come with him to do His work. All I have to do is walk where he guides me. The responsibility is His. Yet I get to share in the glory of the beautiful plowed field. I can quit doing my own work! Hebrews 4:10 says that "Anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work just as God did from his."
Wow! Talk about freedom in Christ! This is it! To trust Him enough to go where he guides me and watch as He works a beautiful tapestry for His glory! True rest!

1 comment:

Melissa P. said...

thank you...i really needed to be reminded of those Truths today.