prioritzie rest: essential yet elusive

Navigating the demands of daily life to find moments of rest can be elusive. Pure rest truly restores the soul. Our fast-paced world undervalues the vital importance of rest. Our culture esteems busyness as a god, equating constant activity with productivity. Women balance numerous roles and duties, often having little time for their personal needs. Our neglect of rest impacts our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Making rest a priority is not selfish; it is essential for our health and spiritual growth. Establishing time for rest demonstrates to the Lord that "I rely on Your provision and care for me." When we engage in true rest, we recognize our limitations, weaknesses, and dependence on Him.

Resting in the Lord is a form of worship. It is an act of surrender, acknowledging that we are not in control but instead, entrusting our lives to the One who is. In those moments of stillness, we can commune with God, offering Him our burdens and receiving His peace that surpasses all understanding.

True rest is not found in the absence of activity but in the presence of God. So, take a moment while we are in the middle of this conversation to pause, breathe, and be present in His loving embrace. Allow your mind to still for a moment. {Pause}

Over the next two months leading up to January 2025, during the holiday season, we will delve deeper into the topic of rest. Our focus will be cultivating a routine of complete rest to rejuvenate, revitalize, and realign ourselves. Until then, I leave you with this gentle reminder from Matthew 11:28 (NIV), where Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

I pray for you that you will find comfort in God's promise of rest and encounter the life-changing impact of finding pure rest in the Lord. I pray you recognize when to decline requests or obligations. May you free yourself from pursuing perfection and the desire to please others, allowing yourself the gift of self-care. Moreover, may you be freed from any guilt or condemnation from the enemy that tries to hinder your rest. In Jesus' Name. Amen.