DAILY REST

Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.        

1 Kings 19:5-6 (NIV)

This is one of my favorite Bible stories because it shows God's kindness and care. I’ll never forget that I was talking to a leader of one of the largest churches in the United States, and I asked him how to create a culture where people never want to leave the staff. His response startled me; he said, Bryan, I used to think like you. I dreamed of having a staff that stayed together for years, but when you speak like that, people pace themselves, but if you think of working with people for a season they can work harder. His point troubled me because he was basically saying people are like positions. They serve their purpose; then you move them on. Jesus doesn’t want to use you for His purposes and then move on to the next person. His mission to impact the world has never changed, but neither has His compassion. God is always on mission to heal, redeem, and draw near others towards Himself, but He cares about your soul and your heart.

Elijah is burned out. Notice God doesn’t say take a rest so you can back out there. He cares for him. What Elijah needed most was a Cracker Barrel and a Holiday Inn, and God provided both. Sometimes, the most spiritual thing you can do is say no to another thing, take a nap, or go to a good meal and just be with friends and God. There are seasons when running hard is good and necessary, but God wants us to slow down and make sure our hearts and souls are healthy. For years, I wore my exhaustion as a badge. I still work as hard, but I try to slow down regularly and be with God. To take a walk about just to drink it all in. To sit and taste my food, to smile at kids, and to delight in His good gifts. God cares about your soul; sometimes, the better thing to do is rest, eat, and simply be with Him. Give yourself permission to do that. Taking breaks reminds us that God is doing fine running the universe while we sleep and rest. He is God, and we are not; rest in that truth today. He's got this, and He’s got you.

APPLICATION: Text your plan to rest to a friend and ask them to check in with you!

PRAYER: Ask the Spirit to guide you on how to rest and replenish each week. Ask Him to practically guide you in how that can work in your schedule. Sit for a moment and ask the Spirit to remind you that He can handle all your tasks better than you can!

“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)

• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
 

“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)

• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
 

“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)

• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
 

“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)

• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
 

“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)

• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
 

“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)

• Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?