In His Word 6-21-10

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. Hebrews 4:12-13
How much time do you take for God? What does it mean to take time with God or for God anyway? Did He intend for us to just spend our days sitting and reading the Bible so we can grow in knowledge… and what is the purpose for this? Why do we study the Word in the first place? Is it all worth it?

Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. Galatians 6:7-15
Today as I sat and talked with my Savior, I thought about how much time I have today. I was so excited for school to be out and to be home where I can do... what? “Oh Lord," I say, "I want to go to the beach and walk in the sand. I want to enjoy the beauty of the waves crashing against the shore and splashing against the rocks, spraying that beautiful mist into the air.” Then I stop and think of all I have to do before I can rest and really enjoying myself. Is it okay to just enjoy ourselves? Do we have to keep working every day and every moment towards gaining new believers and strengthening old ones?

What about the rest? Is it okay to take time off from God’s work? Or for that matter, do we really take time off, or do we just shift into low gear and do something else? Sure, I have plans for what to do. I have work to finish before I get into summer camps and VBS, which I am so excited to do! But first there is work to be done; prayer, study, writing, cleaning. If we do not take time to rest we will not be strong enough to continue in the work God has given us to do. Include rest in your plans.

I try to take short walks in my garden to keep my brain relaxed. Otherwise, it is constantly trying to find something to do to improve my house, my family’s behaviors, my organization skills, my teaching skills, etc. etc. Some days I just want to turn it all off! For me, a walk on the beach does that. The roar of the ocean blocks out the sounds of the world. The salt reminds me of the cleansing of the Lord, just as the salt cleanses the waters, so God cleanses us. Even now as I imagine myself walking on a beach, I can hear the sea gulls’ cries and the waves coming in and going back out. I can feel my body slip to the sand and just sit there for hours enjoying it all. No deadlines to make, no children or teens to deal with. I can just rest in Him and His creation.

So what do you do when you need time away? What do you do when you are so busy you can’t stand it and everything is piling up in your brain to the point you need to "defrag" it? How do you find the time to do all of God’s work and enjoy it too? Rest in Him. Take time to worship Him in spirit and in truth. Allow yourself to forget the rest of it all, and just tell God, "I love you Lord… I lift my voice to worship you… Thou art worthy…." All of the wonderful things you can think of to sing, just as the waves pour in and out, relax my body. As the praises pour out to God in waves, my spiritual relaxes. There I find rest for my soul and my brain stops fighting with all the needs and cares of my world. I can be at rest with Him. Sure, the cares will find me eventually, but if I do not take that time to rest I will not have the strength to make it through.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the time you spend with us today and every day, helping us find rest for our souls, rest for our bodies and rest for our minds. Give us the strength to get to that place of resting in You. In Jesuss name, amen.

Suggested Scriptures: Hebrews 4:1-14; Galatians 6:1-18; Ecclesiastes 5:1-20; 2 Peter 1:1-21; 1 John 1:1-10.