Summer is just around the corner and it occurs to me that God never goes on vacation. He never shuts down the shop of creation and goes fishing. No sleep or slumber for Him. (Psalm 121:4) Morning, noon and night He’s watching (Psalm 33:14), He’s counting every tear we’ve cried (Psalm 56:8) and He’s making the crooked roads straight (Luke 3:5). He’s working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28) even if the things that have happened aren’t so good.
We, however, while created in God’s image, are a people in need of rest. God has tried to tell us this from the very, very beginning. Remember that 7th day of creation? “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” (Genesis 2:2-3)
I’m really good at the work part. No idle hands here. I’m just not so good at the rest part. I have a hard time getting my mind to slow down. I know I should take a break. I do go on vacations and even then, I’m usually on the move. (I just want to make sure we’ve had every adventure possible to get our money’s worth. Is that so wrong? #dontanswer) As summer peers around the corner, ready to make an entrance, I am reminded of the wave of parties, and picnics and festivals, oh my, that are headed my way. The FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) Struggle is real. Be still? Easier said than done but I’m working on it.
The kind of rest I really need can only come from the One who tells me to seek it. God’s Word encourages us over and over to come to Him and find rest (Matt. 11:28), to cast our cares (1 Peter 5:7), to lay down burdens (Psalm 68:19), to renew our strength (Isaiah 40:31). Could it be that intentionally doing nothing isn’t a sign of laziness but a sign that we’re following God’s commands and building our faith in the process? Shocking, I know, but I’m willing to test the waters and see what happens.
Dwell, rest, abide; they’re all verbs that require us to do nothing. Why not join me? This summer I’m planning on some lazy days. I’m going to let the dust protect the furniture a little longer, and I’m going to lie down in a lounge chair or float in one of those raft thingys with the cup holders and do absolutely nothing because I know that God is always up to something and I’ll be ready.
Do you want to take the time to relax and build your faith, but not sure where to begin? We’d love for you to come visit us at Hope Church.
