A word dropped into my spirit recently while I was crying out to God.
Rest.
I balked. That word could not possibly be the answer to my prayer. Rest? No. My situation demanded action. I pleaded with God. “Please tell me what to do.”
Rest.
How could I possibly rest? I needed God’s marching orders. But day after day, all I heard in response to my desperate prayers for direction was one simple word.
Rest.
I routinely ask my husband, Steve, what he’s been hearing from God during his prayer time. His recent response to that question didn’t surprise me.
“All I keep hearing is that I’m supposed to rest,” he said. “But I don’t know what that means.”
Welcome to the club!
Why was such a simple word so difficult to understand?
Seated across the living room from Steve that morning, I picked up one of the devotionals we both enjoy. I turned to the reading assigned for that day, and my eyes fixed on the Bible verse printed across the top of the page.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. — Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
I sighed audibly and Steve looked up. I pointed to the book and said, “It’s that word again. Rest.”
He nodded. I shrugged.
Why was such a simple instruction so difficult to obey?
How do you obey a command you don’t understand?
In that moment of confusion, a Bible verse popped into my head.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. — James 1:5 (NIV)
“OK, God,” I whispered. “I’m asking. What do you mean by telling us to rest?”
I closed my eyes and readied myself to receive wisdom from God. At once, not just one word, but entire sentences formed in my mind. Convinced my God was speaking to me, I picked up my journal and began to write as if taking dictation.
My heart pounded. “Steve!” He looked up from his Bible. “Listen to this.”
I read to him from my journal the message I’d just received like a download from God.
“Where did you get that from?” Steve looked as amazed as I felt.
I pointed straight up to heaven. “I got it from God.”
“Wait,” he said. “YOU wrote that?”
“Yes. Well, not really. I wrote what I heard God saying to me. To us.”
We both sat in stunned silence.
Finally, we understood the rest God had called us to. He wanted us to rest by releasing the load we’d been carrying. Rest by allowing Him to pilot our lives. Rest by simply spending time in His presence.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
— Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
Steve and I have not been taking this journey of obedience lying down. When it comes to resting, our eyes are wide open to our marching orders. We’ve been getting ready to take flight by resting in God’s presence.
Rest.
It really is that simple.
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
— Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV)
Friend, if you’ve been trying to find rest for your soul, I invite you to sit at the feet of the everlasting God. He has the answers you seek and the wisdom you need.
Don’t worry if you don’t understand Him at first. Press in, ask for clarity, and then follow through with what He asks of you.
I know from experience that obedience is a journey God will gladly map out for us.
