Gift Number Four — JC's Village

Humor. Gratitude. Beauty. We can add them at any time to our lives, and they add so much to our lives. Each of these takes us out of the frame of mind we spend much of our day in - struggling to get things done, working against the clock, herding cats.

Today - want to talk about the powerful gift that rest is. I’m not just talking about the sort of rest we get when we’re asleep, but also the kind of restful state of mind we have when we’re relaxed, calm, peaceful, quieted, or even in a “flow state” - of the sort we get into when we’re reading, drawing, playing music, playing a game, or doing deep meaningful work in some field of expertise.

Graham Cooke (who I like to listen to preach - especially his sermon Why Wounded and Betrayed Believers Are So Useful to God) says “Rest is a weapon”. Graham’s referring to rest as a spiritual weapon - defensively primarily. Who hasn’t found themselves in a trying situation that was made much worse by the fact that they were so stressed out, tired and run down.

There are surely times when we cannot avoid this - when a loved one falls ill, when raising young children, when moving, launching a business (or dealing with a season of corporate troubles) - just to name a few but surely not all. Sometimes despite our best efforts we find ourselves facing several or even all of these all at once. I can surely relate to this. Over a decade ago work was crazy, the economy was crazy and my mom was dying. I ran every which way until I was completely worn down. Then it got ugly. A couple years ago - I had several family members struggling with health, work stress, my dog died - and I was completely run down again - but the second time I’d learned to stop and rest as soon as I felt spread so thin, ask friends for help, and I contacted everyone counting on me to get something done for more time. Then I poured myself into staying in that mode until I felt able to pick up and go again. The difference between those two seasons was so profound. The first season caused many years worth long-term problems and hurdles that were really challenging to overcome. The second was challenging - but nowhere nearly as problematic. In fact - the second season led to growth, more strength, and some really, really welcome and valuable lessons. The second season was also over in months - not years.

You are worth being rested, rejuvenated, energized, reinvigorated. You and your family, your friends, your work and even your pets - all get the best of you when you give yourself not just the sleep you need - but the mental rest you must have in order to grow, and strengthen your spiritual gifts, your unique way of blessing the faith communities you’re a part of. God surely can grow us closest towards Himself when we’re rested. Pretty hard to be enthused when we’re dragging ourselves through life. We’d never raise our children that way. God doesn’t want to raise us that way either.

So - today’s gift - is this sleepy post (stretches and yawns big), with loads of slow pokey words. It’s okay to go ahead - and lay your tablet or phone (or whatever you’re reading this on) down - and close your eyes for a moment. You know - to ponder. (another big yawn). Maybe just a quick nap. It is the Lord’s day after all. Sabbath rest and all that. If you think about it - what bigger profession can we make of faith than to … than to …

Rest.