Hey, Get Some Rest
Part i
One day about a week ago, I was getting on with my day working and doing necessary things. But I felt absolutely funky. I just did not feel right. Honestly, I was borderline depressed. At least it felt that way but there was no reason to be…Because I do self check-ins, I went down the list to see if there was anything I overlooked. But I could not put my finger on it. I just felt out of whack and sad. I kept saying to myself, “Girl, what is wrong with you?” That question along with 100 sighs filled my day. I made up in my mind as soon as I found time to be alone; I would get quiet and talk to God.
So once I arrived home, got into my routine, ate dinner, settled down, and unplugged. I decided to lie on my bed for a moment before I prayed. But before I knew it, I was out like a light. Gone… It all hit me at once. I was so exhausted. I crashed and did not wake up until morning. And let me tell you, I was a completely different person with a new perspective mentally and joy in my heart. I was lacking rest and did not know it. I felt like I was back in alignment; I felt right again which was a far cry from how I felt just hours ago. That experience added more Oomph, as they say, to this post. If rest for our natural bodies does such wonders, how much more does resting in Christ will do?
Rest is a requirement for a healthy life. Getting proper rest is connected to so many things in our bodies; from weight loss, to clear thinking, and mood—attitude. Essentially it is connected to the function of the body as a whole. As rest is a grave necessity for our physical bodies, so it is in our spiritual life in Christ. Along with His promises, God commands us to rest in Him. But as there are promises for resting in Him; there are consequences for not resting in Christ. These consequences are not threats, they are just results. For example, a student that does not do their work in school cannot expect to graduate. It is not a threat it is a result of an action that lead to a consequence.
The children of Israel are prime examples of what can happen when we do not rest in God. It is the same as living in unbelief. Hebrews 4 shows these consequences perfectly. So very briefly… let me mention some key things to know when it comes to the book of Hebrews:
The author of Hebrews is unknown and is admonishing new Jewish converts not to forfeit the promise of rest through unbelief.
These converts from Judaism to Christianity were feeling the pressure and persecution of their choice to follow Christ.
These Jewish converts were contemplating returning to their Jewish religion to escape the ridicule of their conversion.
Hebrews was written to encourage these converts to keep going and to show the superiority of Christ over the Judaic system, Moses, Aaronic priesthood, angels, and the Law.
Pause. I believe this moment is great to encourage someone who is contemplating going back to your old life without Christ because of the difficulty you feel in your decision to stand for Christ; and live a life according to God’s standards. Know that Christ is able to keep and fortify you to stand. Paul says with such conviction: “for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12). Paul rested in Christ. He gave Christ the vital (core) things concerning him. He got to the root of who he was and gave that person to Christ. So I say to you, go to God with who you really are. Give Him the issue(s) that cause you to feel like you cannot live for Him. Give it to Him and do not try to hold on to it. It will be hard and seem impossible, but what is hard for us is so light to Christ. I promise you, He can carry the load. And cleanse you from every sin.
In Hebrews chapter 4 … those new Jewish converts were candidates of redemption just like the first generation Israelites that God brought out of Egypt. The Gospel was first preached to this generation, but they rejected it because of an “evil heart of unbelief” ( Hebrews. 3:12). The writer of Hebrews first warns these converts of what could happen should they turn away. Let us examine what it means to turn away. To turn away or abandon anything takes effort. And effort takes strength, physical and emotional exertion, and or energy. The same effort used to doubt or disbelieve God can be used to believe and turn away from unbelief. So I say to you, do not let the enemy exhaust you in unbelief. But instead focus on believing and resting in the promises of God. And he promises that when we are weak that is when His strength is made perfect. (2 Corinthians 12:19 ).
I want you to realize that living for Christ is not a fairy tale, but it is a beautiful reality. One mistake we make is trying to make Christ agreeable to our lives, our wants, likes, and expectations. Instead of finding our lives in Christ… As He says in His word, Our lives/identity is hidden in Him (Colossians 3:3). That means we would have to lose something (i.e. ourselves) to find our true lives. As we come to an end, I want you to sincerely think of the things in your life that keep you from resting in Christ. Better yet... write them down. Then find and meditate on the scriptures that corrects those ways, thoughts, and or feelings. In all your doing get an understanding and work it out with Christ.
In our next installment, we will dig deeper into what is this rest
Well, until next time...
Let’s Be Converts
P.S read the scriptures in parenthesis :-)