Working from Rest

Rest is probably the #1 thing people crave today and yet the least possessed commodity.  In the beginning, God worked for 6 days creating all that exists and declared the 7th day for rest.  On the 6th day, God created man.  So the first full day of man's existence was spent in rest and then he worked the next 6 days. God rested after His work...and man worked from his rest.  That is grace.

That's something we need to understand--how to work from our rest.  But first, we have to REST.  Webster describes rest as:  freedom from activity or labor, state of motionless or inactivity, repose, peace of mind or spirit.

When is the last time you stopped all activity and were motionless?  When is the last time you enjoyed peace of mind or spirit?  If you couldn't come up with a quick reply to those two questions, you seriously need to stop...and rest.  Without guilt!!  It's Satan's plan to keep us so busy and going in such circular motions that we are exhausted and don't even have the energy to spend time with God or our families.  Rest is also a weapon to fight the enemy.  When we're "at rest," it proves to the enemy we don't fear him.  Philippians 1:28.  I think resting is like a tithe of your time to God.

Do whatever you need to do.  Hire a babysitter, escape to your favorite spot, make some coffee, get alone with God and find that peace of spirit and mind.  Rest your body, soul, and spirit.  Be still. 

Rest.  I give you permission.

"Then Jesus said, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Matthew 11:28-29

The Holiness of God

There are moments in my life when I’m confronted with the holiness of God, and all I can do is fall on my face!!

The children of Israel came into God’s presence at Mt. Sinai and afterwards they told Moses that they never wanted to do that again. It was terrifying. Isaiah saw God in his temple and declared God’s holiness and his own uncleanness. Saul met God on the road to Damascus and fell to the ground. John saw a vision of Jesus and passed out!

I don’t think we know what we’d actually do in God’s physical presence. I think it will be utterly and completely overwhelming and we’ll be awestruck. I think we’ll be consumed with God’s holiness. We’ll know the vast difference between us and Him. We won’t be standing and demanding anything. We will fall on our faces before our holy God. 

We need to begin practicing being in the presence of a holy God—now. 

The Vacuum

We’ve created a vacuum in our society. 

noun vac•u•um 

      a space entirely devoid of matter. 

How have we created a vacuum? By leaving out God. We teach our kids everything—how to play sports, how to sing, how to play an instrument, how to handle peer drama, how to study, etc.. But what are we, as families, teaching them about God? Anything? Or nothing?

God told Moses to prepare the people because He was going to come and speak to them. They had to consecrate themselves, wash their clothes, abstain from sex, and be ready on the third day (significant?) to meet God. They did. And God showed up with thunder, lightening, smoke, fire, a ram’s horn blaring, and a thunderous voice!! They were awestruck by God’s presence, His holiness. It was so intimidating that the people begged Moses to never have to do that again!  “YOU go meet God and tell us what He says.”

And that’s what happened. And a vacuum was created. The people no longer met with God. They saw God from a distance. They heard messages about what God had said to Moses. But they no longer drew near and experienced the awesome holiness of God.  

And soon…they built a golden calf to worship. 

You don’t have to live in a vacuum. Your kids don’t have to live in a vacuum. You can meet with God right now. Open your Bible.  Hear His voice. You meet with God and then bring your kids into His presence. Just be prepared to be awestruck. 

Jethro’s Advice

If you talk to a group of pastors today, they are likely stressed. Covid uncovered a lot of problems and brought a lot of division. It feels as if we’ve turned a corner in the grand plan of God. Times are hard. People are concerned and fearful. There is a lot more to do of what has been the norm—counseling, taking care of the sick, teaching, helping, coming alongside others, etc. 

As I read Jethro’s advice to Moses this morning in Exodus 18, I wanted to encourage all of us to heed the same advice. Divide the work.  Delegate. Appoint faithful leaders who won’t let leadership go to their heads. Mentor and disciple them. Let others help carry the load. 

We are not Superman or Superwoman.  God hasn’t called us to kill ourselves with stress or exhaustion. He’s all about raising up new leaders and dividing the work.  And He may just want to teach us how to courageously lead the leaders.  

And as Jethro wisely counseled…go to God and ask Him if this is His plan.  Follow His leadership.  He’s creative enough to give every pastor their own individual plan.

DISTRACTIONS!!!

There are more distractions than ever in our lives, aren’t there?  I think this is our new normal. How do we cope?  How do we FOCUS??

This is what helps me. I sit in the same place every morning with a cup of coffee, a piece of toast, my Bible, and my journal. I’ve created a routine. Routines bring continuity and just help me focus better. I spend time with God—reading His Word, asking Him questions, and journaling. And then I bring my needs and the needs of others to Him. 

This is how I journal: I write down anything at the front of my mind. This gets it out of the way, brings it to God, and clears my mind. Then I begin talking to God about what I’ve read in the Bible that morning. I ask Him questions and write the answers He speaks to my heart. Sometimes it’s a flow of conversation back and forth. Other times, He leaves me hanging so I’ll meditate on it for awhile. I journal my prayer requests and write down how He’s answered other requests. Journaling is what helps me focus. It brings everything right before me and helps me lay it all at Jesus’ feet. It’s a constant in my life. 

We’re going to have distractions. We need to accept that Satan has stepped up his game and distractions are a great trap. But we can stay focused if we try! I highly encourage you to buy a good journal and give journaling a try. I think a good routine brings peace, continuity. and focus. 

Arguing with God

Did you know Moses stood in the presence of God at the burning bush—and argued with Him? It wasn’t just arguing over God’s plan to lead the Israelites out of exile. Oh no! He argued with God over what He said Moses could do. He argued that he wasn’t good enough for the job.

It’s pretty ironic when you think about it. Arguing that you’re not equipped to do a job—with the One who created you. But he did. 

We do, too, don’t we? “God, I don’t know how to teach, speak, parent, write, disciple, draw, calculate, help, build, cook, witness, play an instrument, lead, save money, spend money, create, counsel…fill in the blank.” 

But if God has called you to do those things, don’t you think He knows your giftings—and your limitations? The point is…He called you. He will do it through you.  He’s the One who is able.  

Moses argued long enough that God became angry and called Aaron to come and speak for Moses. But that wasn’t His first and best plan. I wonder how things would have been different if Moses had just agreed with God and obeyed?

I guess I can find out when I agree with God about His plan for me.  

Who am I?

Has God ever asked you to do something so big or so scary that you questioned, “Who am I to do this thing?” He’s asked me before. In fact, I felt it was the place for a man to speak and I asked him if there wasn’t a man to do this thing. But he required me to do it. It’s a scary place to be…a job so big that it seems to be too big for you. Who am I?

That’s how Moses felt when he came to the burning bush. God told him he’d heard the cries of the Israelites and he wanted Moses to go lead his people out of Egypt. Moses asked, “Who am I?” God’s reply was, “I will be with you.” And later, he told Moses to tell Pharoah and the people that “I AM WHO I AM” has sent me!

It’s not about us being big enough for the job. It’s about Who is going with us. I AM WHO I AM.  

And He can do anything. He just wants our obedience.