Forgotten? Or Never Learned?

I was talking to two sweet friends before Sunday School this morning. Sipping coffee. Talking about plans for our Sundays. Laundry, couch-time, naps: all made it into the mix. And then a very interesting concept was unearthed. We began to discuss how guilty we sometimes feel about just being still or not accomplishing anything from time to time simply because we are resting. And why is that? I think that our generation has been programmed to feel lazy if we aren't constantly checking something off of a list, or pushing hard toward the next big thing, or striving to be up-to-date on every major world news event. From a very young age, I can remember my mom encouraging me to be independent. And so goes the story with most of my friends. All of my closest friends are gainfully employed, living in their own homes/apartments, dreaming big and making plans. We have all been taught to be those people. And I am truly grateful. I think our parents weren't offered as many opportunities as we have been given, so they have played key roles in encouraging our success in life. Birthing a generation of busy bees and big dreamers.

So, welcome to our dream lives. And our dilemma. With the big plans come the worries, and the deadlines, and the booked planners. Our days are filled with appointments and errands. Guided by our plans and our paychecks. And somewhere along the way, we have forgotten how to rest. Or perhaps a greater tragedy: we have never learned.

I believe that God has blessed most of us with incredibly abundant lives. We have all we need and most of what we want. But how many days do you sit for longer than 30 minutes, dedicating your time to praising the One who makes it so? How often are you silent for more than an hour? How long do you even allow silence in general? If you're anything like me, you are failing in the area of rest.

Resting in God requires much more than being still, but it starts there. In the stillness, you become aware of your need to be filled with the Holy Spirit... of your inadequacy and gratitude for grace... of your love for Him through Christ. It is there that you hear from God. It is there that you obtain a posture of reverence. It is there that you honor God for your life of abundance. And whatever comes after the silence...whatever comes after the stillness...whatever comes after the rest becomes endurable because you have simply been with the King.

I'm still learning to rest. Join me?

Genesis 2:1-3: "So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation."

Matthew 11:28-30: "Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”