Rest and Restoration

I scrambled from one responsibility to the next, panting as I ran. I was only a half step ahead of the needs asked of me. My projects swallowed me whole. My responsibilities were overwhelming. My family needed me. My friends wanted time with me. Honestly, there did not seem to be enough hours in the day, and I was running on empty. Sometimes, I wonder if I can keep up.

How about you? Do you feel rushed and rattled? Are you tired and worn? Do you need a little rest and restoration?

When I look at the life of Christ, He portrays a different way of life. Scripture records Him often retreating to sit and pray. (Mark 1:35, Matthew 26:36-46; Luke 6:12) I read stories of our Lord, conversing with friends leisurely over a meal. He ate with the tax collector (Luke 5:27-32) and friends like Mary and Martha, (Luke 10:38-42) and his closest of followers at the Last Supper (Luke 22;14-38). I see that He was able to rest amid a raging storm. (Matthew 8:23-27) Scriptures tell of Him laying in the tomb for three days. If He was going to come back from the grave, why wait three days? (Luke 24:1-12, Matthew 12"38-40)

Christ was never rushed.

He was never behind.

He was never rattled.

If (and I believe He did) Christ portrayed rest while on earth, then He is the same in the old and new testament. He is the same today. The Christ of the New Testament surrendered to the will of God and lived with intentionality. However, He created pockets to rest. The God of the Old Testament is portrayed as a good shepherd leading his sheep to rest in green pastures. This Good Shepherd gives rest and restoration. Psalm 23 reads

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Friend, no matter how rushed you feel today, be reminded of the actions of the Master. He was never in a hurry. He took time to sit with the Lord. He rested in the storm. He led his sheep to still waters and green pastures. He was and is the one to restore our souls. So today, let us breathe in Jesus and exhale the world. Let us find rest and restorations for our souls.

Rest at the feet of our Lord. No rushing is needed. No more scrambling, for there is no pressure in the presence of the Good Shepherd.

Now, before you throw something at me thinking, "that sounds great, BUT you don't understand!" or "I would, BUT I"M TOO busy to slow down!" or some other like thought, I want to say. I get it. Life is busy. It may be complicated to add times of rest and restoration into our lives, but I need the reminder that if I slow down and figure out pockets of praise, I am more productive! What about simply listening to praise music on your commute or setting your alarm clock 20 minute early to grab time with the Lord? What about setting the alarm for a 15-minute morning or afternoon for a devotional snack? Another idea is to read the Bible before going to bed instead of scrolling social media, tik tok or watching that late show. I'm ducking now. :) I don't know what practicing rest and restoration could look like in your life, but I know it is worth the effort to begin.

Are you with me?

If you want a next step, check out my video. :)