I took time to rest today.  It’s been a while since I’ve decided to take the time to actually rest.  Time isn’t the problem; there’s been plenty of time for me to rest, but I’ve not.  As a matter of fact, I’d say that I probably have not rested since the beginning of this school year.  You might be asking, “How is that possible?”  Well, I’m not talking about doing nothing, sleeping, or napping.  I’m talking about rest.  Let me explain. 

          In January, I took on leadership of the Sabbath Rest Team at my church (a position for which I truly am not qualified, but by God’s grace I am learning).  Now, God has been reminding me since I’ve been leading how important rest is in my life.

          In high school and college, I learned to develop the practice of rest.  By rest, I mean restoration, renewal, a time away.  Once I began student teaching, I let this practice fade away.  Now, the Lord is bringing it to the forefront again.

          Today, I went to Sonic grabbed a grilled chicken wrap and a large peach teach and slipped away to one of my two places in the area were I can get away from nearly everything.  I brought a couple of books I’ve wanted to read.  I sat outside and read for about two hours or so.  Then I took time to respond to one of the things I read and thanked God for the work He’s provided me and the fruits of that work.  After that, I went for a brief walk and chatted with God.  Nothing complicated.  That’s the kind of thing I find extremely restorative.  Once I left, I was at peace.  The world looked different, I saw beauty I hadn’t noticed on my way there.  Now, that peace comes from the blessings of God’s rest.  Once, I leave that rest the peace will soon fade and my eye’s will once again dim to the beauty of God’s Creation.  It is essential for us to develop the practice of rest within our lives so that we might live out of that peace.  

          While in college and high school, I took time nearly every week if not more than once a week to do this.  Sometimes it didn’t involve reading at all.  Sometimes I’d just walk and talk with God.  More recently, it has involved biking.  I found taking a bike ride very restorative.  Your way of resting may not be anywhere near mine, or it may be identical.  The important issue is that you are resting.  In all honesty, I attribute much of the peace and success I had in college to learning to rest and the fruits of that effort.  Now, that I think of it I believe that the healing of my acid reflux was a direct result of practicing a lifestyle of rest while in college.  Interestingly enough that acid reflux has begun to resurface now that I have not been resting.   Several times, while in college I’d go to a park in the area right before finals and sit there and study for hours.  Even though I was studying, my soul was still be restored because I was able to get away and spend my “off times” talking with God or taking in the beauty of His Creation.  Other times, I’d take off on a 3-4 hour walk.  I’d leave before noon on Saturday morning.  Stop at a park for an hour or so.  Sometimes I’d even stop by a museum on campus.  Then, I’d walk back to the dorm.  Now, I sometimes I’d talk with God on these walks and other times I’d just walk.  Either way, God provided rest.

          It is my desire to continue that practice of rest knowing full well that it must change and morph as the circumstances of my life changes.  How does one rest with a wife? or with children?  How do you rest as a family?  What is restoring and bringing peace?  It takes some effort to discover these things but it is well worth it.

          What have you done that brings you this rest? (Replies welcome)

In Christ,

<>< Brian