"Rest"

Sometimes we need a Sabbath,

A day of quiet rest,

But I cannot remember,

Last time I had that best.

One whole day, no labor,

Seems way beyond my reach,

On Sunday I am working,

That’s when the Bible teach.

And, no, I’m not complaining,

I’m thankful for the work,

God knows it is a blessing,

That I would never shirk.

But God said that He rested,

After He created,

Not ‘cause He was tired,

But knew we should be rated.

We might just overdo it,

And never take the time,

To unplug from the schedule,

And lose the reason rhyme,

Of living life abundant,

And taking needed breaks,

It may be God knows better,

And healthier it makes.

The Bible says He offers,

A needed Sabbath-rest,

And we should give an effort,

To enter it or lest,

We end up disobeying,

And failing God’s own test,

Like the Hebrew children,

Out in the wilderness.

Take the rest He gives us,

Pause and draw a breath,

It’s not just life we’re living,

But life long after death.

“So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God…” (Hebrews 4:9, NLT)

Some believe the rest this verse talks about is heaven. I wouldn’t argue. But I don’t believe it’s limited to the hereafter. I believe it is talking about a “rest” we should experience here on earth, based on the power of the Holy Spirit. When He gives us rest it’s because we have learned to totally rely on His life moving through us, rather than striving to please with our own strength. Paul said He could do all things through Christ, and named Christ in us as the hope of glory. The great mystery of the indwelling Christ is never more obvious than when we know He is doing work through us we could never do. That is rest indeed.

Lord, help us to rest in the power of Your Spirit, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Herman Walker, hermanwalker.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Herman, and God bless you.