Spring Break is upon us which means many will take to the roads, skies and seas for a quick getaway from the daily grind.
Some may head to the mountains; others will make their way to the nearest ocean, and some may spend their time on a mission trip in a foreign environment from their own. One thing those who get to take a Spring Break trip all have in common is a time of rest.
I don’t know if this topic is heavy on my mind due to the loss of an hour of sleep over the weekend. My eyes do feel a little heavier this Monday afternoon, but I do know, especially as a ministry wife, that the Lord burdens my heart with the need to rest.
This is something all people neglect in today’s million miles a minute world. What we forget is, upon creating the world, one of the largest tasks ever, the Lord made time to rest, “God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, for on it He rested from His work of creation” (Gen. 2:3).
When we neglect to rest, it becomes easier to lose sight of the importance of time with the Lord and to be distracted by the enemy and all of the things he throws at us.
“Remember to dedicate the Sabbath day: You are to labor six days and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God…” (Exo. 20:8-10).
The Lord reiterates continuously throughout Scripture that we are to rest. The Sabbath is an integral part of resting. Not only are we to rest physically, but we are to rest in the Lord.
“I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me. I am not afraid of the thousands of people who have taken their stand against me on every side” (Psalm 3:5-6).
It can become easy to be overwhelmed with all of our daily tasks.
For students, juggling classes, study time, a healthy lifestyle and relationships outside of school seems daunting and impossible for many. This is where it is imperative to lean on the Lord for strength and comfort.
For the mother, working or keeping children at home, making sure the house is clean, food is prepared and the kids are developing like they should and provided with all they need is often times overwhelming. To tell this mom to rest, she may laugh and tell you to get real. This, again, is where the Lord comes in.
To the pastor, who gives and gives over and again his time, his emotions and all of the above to his ministry, it is equally important for him to rest, and to rest in the Lord.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:2-3).
The Lord knows we need rest. Following after Him takes work; it takes dedication, then add in the stresses of the sinful world, rest is imperative.
I spent most of my spring breaks on mission trips to urban areas, often feeling burdened and weary after seeing all the work that needed to be done in such little time. However, when I brought those feelings to the Lord, I found rest in knowing He was pleased with my heart while serving.
So whether you are resting away on a beach somewhere, on a snowy mountain, at home with the family or serving Him in a foreign city or country, I hope that this week you intentionally seek the rest we need and are so often reminded of in His Word.