Desperate means having an urgent need or desire.
The question begs to be asked: why are you desperate? What is your urgent need? Perhaps you are like me – desperate for margin, for white space, for unhurried time to just be.
Busyness makes one desperate.
Life is just too busy. Too many things cry out for one’s attention. Work, ministry, homekeeping, family; why even the grocery list, the laundry basket and the bills to pay are like voices nagging in the background. (My personal nemesis? The dinner menu!)
I could perhaps create something if I could just have ten minutes to myself! Ever feel that way? As a writer, I feel like the perfect essay is just lurking in the back of my brain and would spill out through my fingers on the keyboard if I just. Was. Left. Alone.
Rest is commanded.
The beauty part about being a child of God is He commands, not just suggests, that you rest one day a week. The first time He said this, it was quite a shock to the Children of Israel. After all, their whole lives they had been slaves.
Slaves don’t get a day off to rest.
Resting sets you apart.
The Lord intended the practice of taking a Sabbath would set His people, His beloved nation, apart from all the rest.
Because when you take off one day a week to rest, what you are really saying is that you trust your six days of work are enough.
Or more accurately, you are trusting that your God will make it be enough. And He will.
10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. Exodus 20:10-11 NLT
He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace near the quiet brook of bliss. Psalm 23:2 TPT
What is important to remember about resting:
I don’t just want to make my physical body remain motionless, rest is also about making my soul and spirit trust in God’s provision. It’s all going to be okay.
Disclaimer: I do realize the urgency to find rest might be more of a first world problem in light of all the current turmoil in the world. But it’s a MY world problem. I bet I’m not alone. Do you feel it, too?
~~~
Today’s post was written in response to the prompt, “desperate,” shared at Five Minute Friday. Writers write free-form style for 5 minutes on the prompt. You never know what you might get! (Posting scriptures and photos take longer!)
I’m also linking to the communities at Grace & Truth, Remember Me Monday, Inspire Me Monday, Tell His Story, InstaEncouragement Link-Up, Let’s Have Coffee, Recharge Wednesday
Yes, it’s my problem too! I remember learning about the huge paradigm shift it was for Israel to receive a command to rest and “do no work” for a whole day – every seven days! What a gift from God. And we look at it as a prohibition, but it’s a blessing.
Great post!!
I’m your neighbor at FMF#25 this week!
It’s good to know I’m not alone in this!
The older I get, the more I appreciate God’s directive for rest. It also might have something to do with my level of busyness… Oh, for the long lazy days of childhood!
Thanks for your input, Kym.
Resting for a day, and a little each day does make life so much better. God knew what we needed when he gave us a day off. Never thought about how the idea of rest was so foreign to the Israelites as slaves.
Theresa, it was a revolutionary idea. Imagine setting apart a nation by the mere fact they trusted their God for abundance with only 6 days a week of work!
Pretty revolutionary idea for us Type-A personalities as well!
I like you take on this week’s prompt. Good food for thought.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for dropping by, Sandra. This is a topic I love to address, because I’m still learning.
You write, “you trust your six days of work are enough” – oh, that takes it down to the heart of it – trusting God in it! I needed to see it phrased that way!
Thanks, Maryleigh. It is truly sobering when you realize your motivations. So often we don’t stop and really consider why we are doing what we do!
Love, Love, LOVE this, Jerralea! God has been speaking to me about resting for quite some time. I recently started taking Sundays off, which was huge for me. I love this statement, “Because when you take off one day a week to rest, what you are really saying is that you trust your six days of work are enough.” This is REST. Trusting God in this way, He blessed me abundantly. I actually accomplish more work in 6 days than I ever did in 7, plus my mind, body and soul are renewed!
Yes, Donna! I find that, too. Since I’ve been being more intentional about taking time off, I’m even more productive during the 6 days.
Blessings to you, my friend!
I love this-God has really spoken to me about emphasizing the need to rest. As you say, too, it’s not just a suggestion.
Yes! You have to get filled up before you can give out.
Thanks for stopping by, Jan. Blessings!
Ahhh, Jerralea, yes and amen to this. I feel desperate for rest. I’ve told my Hubs and friends, I live a small life intentionally. I’m trying to make margin for all the things that occupy my days. But this year has brought a lot of stress and overwhelm to my spirit and our family. Rest is something I’m craving right now. In the seasons when I can’t get away and give myself the kind of rest I yearn for, I’m having to learn how to rest rifght where I am. I haven’t figured it out yet.
Resting right where I am – yes, I am working on that as well. The great thing is, He knows our hearts and our desire for rest. He will help!
Thanks for your comments, Jeanne. I value them.
Such fresh insight on rest. Like how you noted it is commanded and sets us apart. And I liked how you linked busyness to even ministry! So true. But this is a good word: “I don’t just want to make my physical body remain motionless, rest is also about making my soul and spirit trust in God’s provision. It’s all going to be okay.”
Thanks, Karen! I so appreciate your input. I really think rest is more about the mindset than the body – although resting the body is very important. I have a little friend who says, “Rest is best!”
Resting is often the last thing we think we *should* do. Yet God told us to do it. We’re crazy sometimes, yes? 🙂 Thanks for reminding us to rest, Jerralea!
Lisa, I have to be reminded ALL the time. It’s not my nature to rest. And yes, it’s crazy!
Thanks for coming by!
This >> “rest is also about making my soul and spirit trust in God’s provision.” Jerralea, it really does come down to rest = trust. So true!
Right … Because how can you rest if you don’t have peace that God is working all things out for your good.
Blessings, Joanne!
I too struggle with rest. Confession, I skipped taking a sabbath on Sunday and I a feeling it today. Rest is so good for the soul, the body, and even those around us benefit when we rest. Beautiful words, thank you or sharing with Grace & Truth Link-Up.
Yes, it never works well when we skip a Sabbath!
Also, you are so right when you say those around us benefit. A rested soul is a kinder soul.
Thanks for coming by, Maree!