Aaaagghhhh. Nothing quite like a soul rest. It’s like taking a beach trip internally.
It is quite possible to have physical rest but be exhausted in your soul. Your soul can feel spent after a number of significant things happening to you. Back to back trials. Disappointments, that once were wrapped up as dreams now seem to be faded memories.
Maybe it is the residue of wounds.
Wounds avoided for so long that poison has seeped into your soul. It could be in doing your ministry, pouring into others, continually giving out that you realize, you are empty and parched in your soul.
It has been the continual giving out that convinced you that it is time for you to give in. To give into you. Not in a selfish way but a selfless way. A way for you to become reacquainted with you. The you that you once knew well, but through weariness, she got lost. Lost in the shuffle. A wearied soul is continually in search of a slumber.
The Renewing
A renewing of everything you had been taught happens when we rest. A relearning begins to take place when we rest. It happens by faith through our obedience as we enter that rest. Jesus is there, waiting for you, waiting for me.
It might be that you are barren, spiritually or physically. It could be that in your longing to be loved, you have found yourself simply longing and thirsting. Nowhere to land, at least no where lasting and life-giving. Thirsting for the giver of life to quench your thirst and satisfy your soul. It is the rest He calls you to yield to that will satisfy everything in your life.
28)Come to me all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest (I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.)
29) Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest ( relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet.) for your souls.
30) For my yoke is wholesome (useful, good-not harsh,hard, sharp or pressing, but comfortable gracious and pleasant), and my burden is light and easy to be borne.
Matthew 11:28-30
Approaching God
Sometimes, we approach God cupping the remainder of what used to be our hearts. The brokenness seeping through our hands, the weariness of our soul cascading to the ground. But we stand.
Barely able to look up yet we are held. Held up by the one who holds us together even when it seems that all has fallen apart.
It is in these moments that we realize there is rest for our souls, a hiding place for our hearts and a table prepared for us high above the taunting of our enemies and our own shortcomings.
In the midst of chaos, God quietly prepares a table for us, inviting us to commune with him. To sit with him, to pour out our hearts to him and be refilled, refreshed and refueled.
Get Refilled
Refilled with the comfort of his presence and soothing words that heal our emptiness.
Refilled with words that turn a parched land into a waterfall of life. A rest that resurrects the deadened part of our soul. Bandaging the wounded parts.
Refilled by the friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Refilled by the one who knows about all of you, the light places and the dark places and loves you just the same.
Refilled and redeemed from our own foolishness.
Be Refreshed
Refreshed from the weariness of walking and waiting.
Refreshed from rumors that have ridiculed your existence and reason for being.
Refreshed from long trips in the desert.
Refreshed in him. The rest that comes from climbing onto his lap and allowing him to comfort you as you cry.
Refreshed, knowing this world was never intended to be our home or give us the rest our soul needs.
Get Refueled
Refueled because we have a purpose. Refueled because we need soul strength and spiritual stamina.
Refueled because we need the energy of the Holy Spirit to do what we are asked to do.
Listen To Jesus
Jesus said…
“ In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.”
Refueled to be overcomers in this life. Refueled to demonstrate it is his strength in us and not our own that sustains us.
Next Time
So the next time life gets hard, life gets pressing, press into the one who is waiting for you. Waiting for you with a comforter for your soul.
What Do You Think?