What do you think of when you hear the word, “Rest”? Or “Be still”? Can I be honest and tell you, that those are two of the hardest things for me to do, and yet, I sometimes find myself smack dab in the place where that is what God is asking of me. God’s timing is perfect though. He showed me clearly during a time away at a retreat a few years ago that it’s not only good to take a time of rest after the weariness of the battle, but He commands it.
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A few years ago, when I sent off the manuscript draft of my third book to the editor, friends congratulated me and told me to enjoy my “new normal” now that I wouldn’t be intently working in front of my computer from sunup until sundown on the book.
What does a ‘new normal’ look like?
I don’t know. I can tell you how I felt…aimless and purposeless.
God’s timing is always perfect though, isn’t it?
Many months prior, I had registered for a retreat, not knowing if I would have the book complete or be able to attend. But with the book turned in, off I went. I drove out of my driveway with coffee in my cup holder and drove several hours north.
For the first time in a couple years, I went away on a retreat…not to learn, not to promote, not to network, just to be. I didn’t open my laptop for four days!
Strange for me.
But it was time.
I arrived weary, broken, and confused. The retreat offered time to be still. It was in the country, surrounded by pastures and horses. There I found other women longing to live in the freedom we have in Christ. Other women who came seeking the Lord’s best for them. Other women who were hurting and in need of being seen–by Him.
One thing that really struck me was how often we were more similar than not. As we took time to chat and share our hearts, so often we found that we were in similar seasons, similar circumstances, and relating to others who could understand lent each other strength, courage, and hope.
The masks that we often wear in our daily lives (whether we realize it or not) were exchanged for authentic tears and the release of laughter. I prayed for many women and received the prayers of women–linking our hearts together with His. It’s a beautiful thing when we can be real, even in our pain. And to know, not only that we aren’t alone, but we are #BetterTogether.
God used that time away to confirm for me something He had been speaking to me for quite some time, but I really didn’t want to see it. If you’ve followed me for very long at all, you know our family has gone through a very difficult few years. When the storms come, I jump in and work harder. I do more. I try to help. When lives change dramatically and unexpectedly, it requires a period of grief for what was and what will no longer be.
My greatest desire is to serve God and others. To point others to Him. But He showed me very clearly during that time away that it’s not only good to take a time of rest after the weariness of the battle, but He commands it.
If you know me very well, you know that “rest” is harder for me than if you gave me three projects with firecracker deadlines.
But after a period of rest, I’m okay with that because God knows.
Although I arrived weary, broken, and confused, I left that weekend feeling settled in my heart, and ready to take the next step of the journey holding God’s hand.
It is well with my soul.
Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
This is such great perspective. I’ve thought often of how our culture has made the Sabbath day into a regular day. We make other people work when we patronize restaurants or stores or whatever. I love the phrase “God commands rest.” So well-said.
#raisinghomemakerslinky
You raise a really good point about making others work. I think it’s so crucial that God commands rest because He knows it is what we need.
It’s amazing how easy it is for us to forget that we need rest and that God actually commands it. The retreat you described sounds lovely; I would love to connect with other women that way.
I think it’s easy to get caught up in the world’s expectations of the need to be productive. What I’m realizing is that rest is productive just not necessarily in a measurable way.
The world has sold us a lie that busy means valuable and important, but we cannot hear God speak to ‘restore our souls’ if we don’t give Him the time necessary to do so. thanks for your post
You speak truth Karen! In fact, God calls us to rest so that we don’t burn up and burn out, but stay connected to Him.
Just reading this put me in such a place of peace. I love when I can step out of being a mother, or blogger, or teacher, and just BE. Just relax with individuals who are more alike as you mentioned. #MomentsofHope
I’m so glad this encouraged you. His desire is that we would always live from this place of peace. I pray that for you as well.
This is so funny you posted this article just this week. I’m leaving today for a 3 day retreat and let me tell you my state at this moment: it’s terrible. I’ve been sick for more than 2 straight months now.
God told me this year would be a year of rest because I pushed myself way too far these last years. And now I’m feeling helpless when I can’t do anything of my day because of sickness. I feel like I’m throwing a pity party and that I’m just being lazy. I’m quite frustrated as I’m constantly anxious and sad.
I hope I can really enjoy that 3 day retreat. Usually I’m always busy helping.
Elise,
I’ve been there…when the only way God could get me to rest was by putting my flat on my back. I pray this will usher in a season of refreshing for you.
I, too, find it hard to rest (having a good book in my hands helps me rest physically). I’m looking forward to a day of rest after camping for five days with 40 teenagers :).
Oh my word! God bless you Anita!!
Michelle, I’m so glad God planted that retreat for you in His perfect timing. While reading this and the comments, I pondered the question “What is happening that women can push themselves so hard? How can we give ourselves daily retreats in our minds and hearts even with the pressures to do and chaos around us?” My hope is that the rest you received at the retreat will continue to bring you God’s peace every day, settling your heart, as He guides each of your moments!
Oh Lynn, I think we have succumb to society’s pressure that we must be all and do all. Instead of letting God be our all. I’m ready for His rest so I can continue to pour out to others from the overflow of my heart.
This is one of the hardest commands for me to follow, too. I am training for a marathon right now, so looking forward to some rest when it is over! My husband says I “have no rest in my bones”! 🙂
I applaud you for your tenacity. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to recover after your achievement.
I find myself in the midst of a serious battle, but your have inspired me to find His rest. Thanks for sharing. Your post was my favorite again on the #LMMLinkup this week because it was so timely at where I am at in my life.
Thank you Mary. I pray as sisters in Christ that we can encourage each other towards God’s best.
Writing all the way from Nigerian . when God said I should rest, I thought it was a joke . All my life I have always tried to figure out things. Now, for e to rest. , God took away everything I could figure out. I saw myself plain and in need for God’s support. At this stage, without God, I would collapse. So everyday at this moment, I had to hold God’s hand to know what to do. Am now like a child. Defending on God for direction at every step. I can definitely relate with your post. The amazing thing now is that God has been sufficient and my contribution is not in it.
Williams,
So nice to “meet” you across the many miles. Rest has been a concept that I’ve struggled with for many years. But what I have found is that when I do as He has asked, He supernaturally allows me to accomplish more than I ever could in my own strength. God bless you. I hope you “visit” again.
Dr. Michelle
REST is my word for the year, and it really has come to me.as a command. Thanks so much for this encouragement.
Years ago I was so much like you when it came to rest. I really didn’t know how to do it. I had to be doing something all the time, even crocheting wasn’t restful but project oriented to accomplish a goal. BUT I got very ill and I was on bedrest for 5 weeks, only up to the bathroom. Wow, did I learn the hard way what rest really meant. Some days I just listened to worship music. Other days I read the Word of God or another good book and some days I crocheted but it was with an attitude of rest and no stress. Now I know what rest feels like, I still do not do it as much as I should but I do have an attitude of rest when needed. Thank you for this message. It is so needed by me and I know so many others.
Rest is my word for 2022. Thanks for this.
A timely message! I’ve been in a period of radical rest for the past five weeks, recovering from major surgery. It’s been so hard to spend so much time doing very little, but it’s been necessary to heal. But the quiet is good for connecting to God.