Calming Restlessness

Cammie is a children’s ministry director at her church. One day, as she was preparing for the lesson she would teach on Sunday morning, she had an idea for a fun illustration that would require a few props. She asked her four-year-old daughter to help.

“Hey, Taylor! Can you please bring me a few of the Fisher Price people from your dollhouse?”

This reply came from her preschooler who was sitting across the room…

“No, Mom. They just want to chill out. They’ve had a long day.”

So funny… yet so not funny.

My word, people! When our children’s toys need a break, you know that it’s time for you and me to hit the pause button.

And, truth be told, I live smack dab in the messy middle of this tension.

The Old Testament indicates that David lived in the messy middle of it too. The Bible says that the Lord made David take a break. Yes. He made him do it. Look: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:1-3 NKJV).

I love the way Psalm 23 verse 3 is paraphrased in The Message, “True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.”

Yes. Please.

This is the desire of my heart. That I can catch my breath and be sent in the right direction by a loving God who knows what is best.

So, I – you – we have to be intentional. Life comes at us fast. If we aren’t careful, the dizzy pace at which we live can unwittingly become our weakness and demise.

I know you know this. I do too and yet somehow it still trips us up.

So, what’s a woman to do?

Let’s keep it real here; we have obligations. We have families, jobs, friends, communities, and churches that need us. And though this will look different for each of us in the many seasons of life, our people depend on us a ton. They should. God tells us to put our faith into action (James 2). And we must. We must mobilize the hope we have in Christ. Serve. Show love. Feed the hungry. Minister to the widows and orphans. Yes. We must be women of action.
The Bible gives a clear and compelling teaching, however, about this life-pace topic. The first call to action must be focused on the Lord himself! This is the key to us experiencing the maximum abundance that God has in store for every believer.
What it all boils down to is this: God’s BEST requires REST.

So simple… Yet so complicated.

It was Augustine who wrote, “God, You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in You.”

When we rest in the presence of God, when we abide in Him, He faithfully restores our restless souls.

Dear Lord, You are awesome and strong and gracious and kind. Your goodness knows no end. When I think about the ways You’ve brought hope, healing, and joy to my life I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Please help me to know You more – and to show You more – as I seek to find my rest in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

FOR YOUR REFLECTION and RESPONSE
What is one thing you can do this week to position yourself more deeply in God’s rest?

Read Psalm 46:1-3 and Psalm 16:8, then wrap up your reflection time with prayer. Move from confession, to adoration, to thanksgiving, and end by praying about your personal needs/burdens.