This morning I woke up and quietly heard Jesus ask me, “What if you rest today. What would that look like to do everything today from a place of rest?”
It’s Monday, and I’m usually busy. However, today, I purposely thought about doing everything from a place of rest, peace and carefully listening to Jesus leading, rather than from a mindset of activity and busyness.
Jesus illustrated this model in that He and His disciples often withdrew from people and activity to rest and commune with the Father, and then from that space, Jesus would minister and do what he needed to do.
“The news about him spread all the more so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.“ (Luke 5:15-16)
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31 NIV)
Interestingly, he withdrew to rest from the day’s demands at the height of his popularity and when he was most busy. There were thousands and thousands of people crying out for Jesus to heal, teach and bless them. The need and opportunities were great, yet he chose to rest and take time off because He understood that he had to remain spiritually, physically and mentally strong to accomplish His purpose. And that required regular times of prayer and operating from a place of rest and communion with heaven.
“Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.” (Matthew 11:29-20 TPT)
Today determine to do things from a place of peace and rest as you trust Jesus to lead and guide you in all that you need to do and all that you are becoming.
Prayer: Lord, please help me to understand the importance of living from a place of rest. Help me set aside a regular time to cease all my activity and labour to recuperate, reflect, relax, and gain perspective. In Jesus name Amen.
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