Post #36 -- The Gift of Restedness

One of my sons recently asked me,  “Dad you never seem to get uptight over all the issues you are facing — personally or in the world around us today.  Why is that”?

I had to think for a moment.  Eventually I think I said something like, “I think the answer to that question might have something to do with the one word that has been on my heart recently — “RESTED”.  And that might be because we have numerous prayer partners praying that your mom and I would experience a genuine “restedness” in Jesus as we struggle though our present medical journey.  I suspect God is answering those requests and is enabling me to experience my soul being at rest in the Lord.  With that I simply don’t worry or focus on the challenges of our present journey or on any other critical issue surrounding all of us today.

Admittedly, this happens better on some days than others! 

From the perspective of a committed follower of Jesus today, there could be much to “worry” about in the world around us, including one’s physical medical journey.  But as we’ll see, that simply is not God’s plan for us.

The purpose of this post is to explore the concept of being rested in the Lord — what really is that? What does God say about that?  How does this happen?  What can one do to experience it?  How does this help us thrive?

WHAT IS RESTEDNESS?

Google the internet on “rest” and you’ll find endless discussion on the need for physical rest.  While  that is certainly true, that’s hardly what we’re here to discuss in this post.  

I use the term “restedness” to describe the God-given peace within our souls that becomes an anchor to hold us steady when the winds and waves are trying to move us off course  It’s here that my soul is at peace with myself, with God, with my family, with others around me, with the world circumstances, and with my projected future. 

WHAT DOES SCRIPTURE SAY?

Scripture makes it very clear that God desires we enjoy a place of quiet restedness.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”  (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV).

“You’re my place of quiet retreat, and your wraparound presence becomes my shield as I wrap myself in your Word”  (Psalm 119:114 TPT)!

“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him. Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken”  (Psalm 62:1-2 NIV).

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him”  (Psalm 62:5 NIV).

“My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me”  (Psalm 63:8 ESV).

IT’S ABOUT PEACE!

As I said, to me it’s all about peace — peace with myself, with God, with my family, with the others around me, with world circumstances, and with my future.  Scriptures talk endlessly about personal peace.  Here are selected verses that are especially meaningful to me.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”   (Romans 15:13 NIV).

“In peace, I will lie down and sleep for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety”  (Psalm 4:8 NIV)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”  (John 14:27 NIV).

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful”   (Colossians 3:15 NIV).

“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace”  (Psalms 29:11 NIV).

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you”  (2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV). 

HOW TO FIND THAT PEACE

While restedness is a gift, it seems this peace simply does not come naturally.  I find that I must be intentional about it.  Here are some things I can do to help me get the spiritual rest I desire.

• Keep the sin slate clean. Several years ago I read of an individual who claimed to not have had a “defeated” day in thirty years.  When asked about how this could possibly happen, his response was simply that he has had a habit of not letting any sin go more than thirty seconds without confessing it to the Lord!  I don’t claim to have mastered that.  But I do know that unconfessed sin interrupts my communication with the Lord.  It interrupts my restedness.  The key is to apply the principle of 1 John 1:9 (NKJV) on a regular basis — “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. 
• Make it a habit to spend time alone with the Lord.  This point comes up repeatedly in this series of posts!  Trying to find restedness without spending quality time alone with God is a non sequitur.  It simply won’t happen!  I keep coming back to the power of Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) — “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You”.  Perfect peace — that’s restedness!
• Wrap myself in God’s Word.  Psalm 119:114 (TPT) says — “You’re my place of quiet retreat and your wraparound presence becomes my shield as I wrap myself in your Word”. Spending quiet moments in God’s Word has a calming effect on our souls! 
• Maintain the eternal perspective.  It’s amazing how having an assurance of the way this journey ultimately ends also fosters a near-term peace and restedness. 
• Find some silence and solitude.  As addressed in Post #34, the noise and bustle of life is the antithesis of restedness.  Getting alone for some quiet moments of meditation and reflection does wonders to calm the spirit and quiet the soul.
• Connecting with fellow believers.  There is something special about connecting with others for fellowship, singing, prayer, and studying the Word of God together.  In fact Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us that meeting together like this is becoming even more important as we see “The Day” approaching.  

I’m sure there are many other things God can use to bring a sense of restful quietness to our souls.

THE CHALLENGE

But how does one live in this state of restedness in a world so full of chaos and turmoil all around us pulling us in many different directions?  Unless God specifically leads, I don’t think the answer lies in isolating ourselves totally from the distasteful news or discussion of it.  Instead, we need to remain knowledgeable of the world around us — without becoming obsessed by it.

HOW BEING RESTED HELPS ME THRIVE

I am continually moved by the song, It is Well With My Soul. If you are not familiar with Hugh Bonneville and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing It is Well With My Soul at a Christmas concert, you’ve got to listen to it.  Enjoy it with me by clicking here.

When our soul is at rest, we can then joyfully sing It is Well With My Soul and THRIVE in the midst of the toughest times!