Gene Merriam Webster defines "rest" as being free of activity or labor. It goes on to define "rest" as a peace of the body and soul. Looking at that definition I can say with confidence that I rarely rest. I'm just too busy with my distractions, entertainment, and work to bother resting. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit this but I have gift cards to restful places like the spa, restaurants, and movie theaters that I have yet to enjoy because I simply don't have time to relax. When I search my heart, I find that a busy lifestyle makes me feel important, needed, and valuable. The bottom line is that I cease to find my worth and value in Christ. I begin to find my value in my Google calendar; the more colored blocks of time I can squish into a day the better. God understood that rest is important and a part of a healthy lifestyle. Genesis 2:2-3 Did you miss it? I did the first time around. 1. God rested from ALL his work. 2. God declared this day HOLY. Why? Because he rested from all his work. ,Obviously, God finds great value in resting from work. That's really hard for me to wrap my mind around. He blessed the time and space around the day he rested. Check out this story: Jesus and his disciples are out feeding the 5,000 and holding the largest picnic of that time. Jesus is teaching these hungry folks and the disciples are rushing around like waiters during dinner hour. Now, jump to scene two. Mathew 6:45 Jesus recognized his need to be alone with God. Our all powerful awesome Lord needed a break. Jesus basically told them to give him some time alone. He went to the mountains and spent time resting with God. So here's the thing: If God and Jesus made time to be alone and rest, shouldn't we? I mean Jesus should have been busier than anyone with only a few months to minister, disciple, and then make right the sins of his beloved. That's a big "to-do" list. If rest is important to Jesus than it needs to be important to me.
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