Jacqueline has gone to the Goodwill to procure some deals on clothing, little man is asleep in the other room, and I am having a glorious saturday afternoon, wishing I had a way to watch some college football.
But in the quietness I am confronted with my inability to rest. I just listened to the song “Jesus I am Resting, Resting” and just sort of rolled around in the truth that Jesus is my true rest, and provides a way somehow for me to rest in the midst of all the chaos of life. What a glorious truth. In direct contrast to all the religions in the world, Jesus calls Christians to REST. To rest. I am not supposed to diligently pray five times a day, not supposed to pilgrimage to Mecca, not supposed to work to assure that I am in right standing with God, not to meditate or chant or wrestle, but just to rest.
My western culture doesn’t encourage rest. Even as I type these words, I can think of dozens of things I could be doing. I have work to do for the fall getaway coming up. I have students I could call to schedule appointments. I have potential supporters I could call to line up appointments to raise support.
But I need to rest, to enjoy the finished work of Christ for me. My worth is no longer tied to my performance. It is wrapped up in the life He lived, in the death, burial and resurrection He went through for me. What a gift. “Oh how marvelous thy goodness, LAVISHED all on me!”
So, before the hustle and bustle of doctors, surgeons, and campus, in the quietness of a house with only the sounds of a fan and soft baby’s breath coming from the other room. I am resting, resting.