Entering Rest

The morning began with a myriad of emails waiting to be answered, voicemails to return and errands to run. As I quickly prepared to run my errands, I thought, “Lord, I need a vacation.” Later that morning, I was at a doctor’s appointment. As I got ready to leave, he said, “Can ask you a question?” “Sure.” I responded.

“When is the last time you took a vacation?” He asked. “About six years ago.” I answered. I then began to explain to him how difficult it was to take a vacation because people depended on me to send out writings, pray, answer emails, and take care of ministry work. I shared how a plethora of work would be waiting on me when I returned so it was almost like not having a vacation at all. He shook his head and said, “When was your vacation before one the six years ago?” I dropped my head and said, “About 15 years before that.” He began to explain to me how a lack of rest was affecting me physically. I couldn’t argue with him. I knew it was true.

I founded A New Thing Ministries over 19 years ago. During those years, even when I went out of town for a few days, it was to work, to minister or to help someone with something. I always had my laptop with me and worked as I traveled. I have not been very good to myself, and I am seeing the consequences of those choices. Thank God for His mercy.

God wants His people well. I am fully persuaded of this truth. I am also convinced there are things we must do to partner with Him in our well-being. We spend our days overworking, stressed, pushing beyond our limits, and taking precious little time for rest. The Word of God says labor to enter into His rest. I dare say there are probably very few people who ever enjoy the TRUE rest of God. It should not be this way.

I believe God is calling us to enter into His rest – and I don’t think I really know the fulness of what it entails. All my life I have heard it preached that entering into Gods rest meant that we believe in the completed work of the cross. While I do believe that is part of it – I no longer believe that is all of it.

I have just begun this study into the true rest of God, I certainly don’t have all the answers. Still, I wanted to share my thoughts with you today and hopefully prompt you to ask yourself some profound questions. Like…

Have I entered into the true rest of God?

Do I dwell in the rest of God?

Do I even know what it is?

And most importantly – Do I want to learn about and dwell in the true rest of God?

I believe with all my heart God desires to take us somewhere. That somewhere is the true rest of God. God has confirmed this truth to me over and again. I have received emails and texts from friends who had no idea I was studying the True Rest of God sharing different statements with me about resting in God. I am so encouraged that He is confirming this journey He has me on.

Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Mt 11:30)

The Amplified Bible says it like this.

For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.

The Passion translation says it this way.

Simply join your life with mine.  Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me.  For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.

As I said earlier, I don’t have the answers to how we fully enter into the true rest of God. However, I believe we can begin by asking ourselves these questions.

Is my life joined with His?

Am I experiencing rest and refreshment in my walk with God?

Are things in my life not harsh, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable and pleasant?

Am I daily toiling to get things done?

Do I feel at rest?

My friends, God is calling us into His true rest. May we all find our way there and once we arrive, may we make it our dwelling place. That is my prayer for each of us today.