My blog last week on Rest – Why is it so hard? stirred some lively discussions. Most could definitely relate. A couple of folks couldn’t. For them rest was easy and they said I should just “rest” and that was that. As I mentioned in that blog, I’m reading Mary Andrews-Dalbey’s “The REST of your life”. Here are some quotes from her book.
“To partake in such rest designates not the absence of work, but rather the presence of trust. We find respite from the fruitless turmoil of our own works by trusting that God is at work in our lives. Thus, the Sabbath Rest mentioned in Hebrews invites us to participate in the complete-ness of His creation, redemption and life now and to come.
Biblical rest doesn’t mean comfort and ease, nor idleness or irresponsibility. It doesn’t necessarily require the cessation of activity, but bestows serenity and security even in the midst of strenuous activity. God’s rest doesn’t require the luxury of a settled life but rather the comfort of a secured soul.
It’s not about what we don’t do. It’s about what God does do.
Biblical peace doesn’t mean sentimental tranquility or the absence of conflict. Such peace of mind can’t be self-induced through a self-hypnotic trance or mantra nor enforced by obligation and obedience. Biblical peace promises not the peace that passes sedatives, but the peace that passes understanding (Phil 4.7). It must be entered through relationship with the Living God of Creation – the one Jesus called Abba Father. Only thought such a dependent and trusting relationship—as children with their father—are we able to “let go” and receive the rest we need.” Pg 15.
(This has given me pause. I resonate with this even while struggling. Not so much the ideas but how to let it soak in. The statement “It’s not about what we don’t do. It’s about what God does do.” is another clue for me. Discerning which things are my responsibility and which are His. And when “my” tasks need to be done.)
“Returning and rest are God’s prescription for our ill-at-ease lifestyles, which rely instead on false securities. By trusting the goodness and provision of God, our anxieties are quieted and we regain our strength.
When we only have a compulsory perspective, life becomes divided into work and performance. Total dependency on work and performance, however, for life structure, self-definition and emotional support often makes rest loom as a thread: “Time-off” implies that time has been switched off. When the work stops, what will I do? If I’m not performing, who am I? …
Perhaps the way we go about trying to find rest shows us that we may not really understand what rest is. Our leisure activities in the name of rest do not always give us the rest that we primarily need in order to overcome our internal rest-lessness (striving, performing, obsessing and worrying.” Pg 36,7
Well said. So, the journey continues. The journey and goal are worth it.
Tags: biblical rest · Mary Andrews-Dalbey · obsessing · performing · relationship · Rest · stress · striving · Work · worrying1 Comment
The author of the May 28 devotional in Steams in the Desert states an interesting perspective on rest. Jacob wrestled with the man of God until morning, yet Jacob did not prevail until he ceased struggling and clung to the man of God, resting his entire weight upon him.
As I thought about these words, Psalm 46:10 came to mind. “Cease striving and know that I am God.” In other words, stop fighting God. Rember who He is–that He is the Sovereign lord over the universe; His ways are higher than mine. Yet His mercies are new every morning.
But to give up the stuggle takes tremendous courage and trust. For me to cease striving, I must trust in God character to accomplish the task that consumes my energy. I am afraid, because I see things from my perspective not God’s. Still, it’s not until I am ready to cease striving and cling to God that I may have victory over those things that I am struggling against. This was the lesson Job had to learn when he said, “I know that Thou canst do all things, and that no purpose of Thine can be thwarted… Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know,” (Job 42:2 – 3).
God’s ways are infinitely better than mine. My life is dependent upon on how I respond to God’s call to pursue His more excellent way. Will I continue to struggle until despair defeats my spirit? Or will I rest in His sovereign goodness and find true and lasting peace as my spirit aligns with His? This is the choice all of face as we seek to find rest for our souls.