It is easy to get caught up in the rush of life. We get busy doing what we think we need to do and forget what matters most. After months of studying, brainstorming, rewriting and editing I finished rewriting a screenplay.
To my surprise, after I saved the file I wasn’t satisfied. I realized there are some changes I wanted to make. Not only that, my mind was bogged down with ideas for other writing projects; from my blog to magazine articles, new screenplays and on top of that I still had two columns posts to write. I prayed, “God, I’m leaning on you to catch my fall.”
With my plate full I couldn’t concentrate enough to do anything. I’m not a good multitasker and I’m not a fan of the concept, I like to focus on what I’m doing and give it my all. What’s a passionate Christian man to do when he is trying to be in God’s will? The answer I was searching for wasn’t that complicated.
After my accident I saw a neuropsychologist and I never forget her advice, “When in doubt, wait it out.” Simply take a break and rest. She wasn’t saying be lazy or inactive, but taking passive action by learning to rest.
I’m not a big fan of caffeine because it affects our nervous systems; coffee can never replace the benefit of a good night’s rest.
Rest?
Rest is a confusing subject because it has many different definitions:
• To cease from action or motion.
• Refrain from labor or exertion,
• To be free from anxiety or disturbance,
• To remain confident—trust.
I want to concentrate on the latter two. The idea of resting has deep spiritual meaning going all the way back to the beginning of time (Genesis 2:2-4.)
Ever since then God has constantly told His people to rest. Not so they could just be lazy and do nothing, but so that He could do miracles they couldn’t, resting in God is trusting in God and not us. He has the power to do impossible things, to turn bad into good.
In most Christian circles there’s a popular saying, “Let go and let God.” The problem is when we don’t see what we want happening, we don’t think God is doing anything; so we get anxious and can’t rest because we really don’t trust God is fighting for us—He is legendary for coming to His peoples’ rescue.
Jesus made it clear to the Jewish people that God is working today—even if we can’t see it (John 5:17.) God promised to fight for His people (Exodus 14:14, Isaiah 41:10.) God is unstoppable and can do what we can’t do on our own.
In today’s church everyone is trying to do a million different things to become somebody great instead of simply seeking God and trusting Him to work through us.
The book of Luke contains a great story of two sisters attempting to serve Jesus in different ways and Jesus makes it clear the sister who is resting with Jesus, the one who is actually spending time with Him instead of trying to impress Him is doing the right thing (Luke 10:38-41.)
I may not be the best singer, but I enjoy singing; if you’ve ever sang a fast song, you appreciate a musical rest. There is no music in a rest but the making of it, a rest helps singers catch their breath and continue to make music. In a symphony a rest is a break in the music to help the musicians keep a musical pace with one another.
Resting helps us to slow down and be still with God. Recently I had a health scare that kept me from being active. So I decided to take a few days to rest so I could get back on track with my physical activities.
ON TRACK?
When the Godfather left heaven in the form of Jesus like an avatar (Philippians 2:5-8,) He came to help us rest forever in His perfect love so we could grow. Most people know I am an outdoor fanatic, but I am also a gym rat and lift weights four days a week. My motivation isn’t superficial, but crucial to living with a brain injury. Strength training helps compensate for the lack of feeling on the left side of my body; it keeps atrophy for setting in. My routine is disciplined and focused.
I workout alone so I can concentrate on my workout and specific muscle groups, my routines run through eight week cycles with a week off for rest between each. The purpose for rest weeks is to give me time to heal, grow and recover.
It doesn’t matter how much you feel it, change it up or how intense you get; if you don't listen to your body and rest, your body will never grow. Likewise, our faith only grows as we learn to trust our God by learning to rest.
