Slow Down….REST
Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest. In plowing time and in harvest you shall rest. (Exodus 34:21, ESV)
God set this reminder for the Israelites. We are commanded to take time and REST. Rest requires us to stop and slow down. Rest also requires that we can’t do everything on our own. We need to rely on God’s strength.
I’ll never forget an incident that happened several years ago. I was traveling in Kentucky on a very long, narrow, windy road. It was a work trip. I had a lot on my mind and a ton to accomplish on this business trip. It was late at night and there were no lights on the road. This city girl forgot that, in the country, it gets pretty dark at night without street lights. I clenched the steering wheel as I tried to navigate through the hilly, winding roads. Because of the circumstance and situation, I was forced to slow down. At times I even had to stop. At one point I thought I was lost. “Will I ever make it to my destination?”
This real life scenario reminded me about an important principle. On our journey, sometimes life takes some unexpected twists and turns.
What do you do when that happens?
Sometimes on our journey, we need to slow down to make sure we know where we are going.
Sometimes on our journey, we even need to stop and REST.
We may have a lot on our plate and our “to-do” lists may be growing, but it’s an important reminder that God wants us to slow down and rest on our journey.
You will make it, but often times we are going way to fast in our high-paced society.
Slow down.
Make sure you are taking time to really listen to God and discern what He is trying to tell you. When we slow down, we will experience His peace. When we slow down, we will experience His presence.
How do we truly find rest? We can find rest in Jesus Himself. Jesus says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) It’s Jesus’ own invitation to rest in Him if you have burdens, trials, if you are overwhelmed, or experiencing burn out in life’s journey.
Slow down. REST. It’s ok. You will get there.
Prayer: Father, thank you for this day. We thank You and praise You that Your mercies are new every morning as great is Your faithfulness. Lord, You invite us to rest. It says in Your Word to come to you if we are weary and burdened and You will give us rest. So we come to You, Lord. Help us to rest today. Whatever worries, whatever anxieties, whatever is on our “to-do” list, Lord help us to release that to You today. For it says in Your Word, in Exodus 33:14 “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Thank You God for Your presence and that You always go with us so we can find rest. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I’m praying for you today that God will strengthen you and that you will find rest and peace in Jesus.
Christine Batchelder