I was listening to the radio last week on my way to work and the lady on there was talking about “rest”. Something that not many people do these days unless they just can’t go anymore. And even if we rest it may consist of our minds not resting as we scroll social media having the tabs of our phone and minds going in all different directions. Really…that is not rest. She mentioned on the radio that God created our minds and bodies for rest. I love the story she used of Jesus in the Bible sleeping on the boat. Matthew 8:23-27 talks about how Jesus and His followers were with Him and a huge storm arose. The waves were high and the boat was rocking but Jesus continued to sleep. The disciples were afraid but Jesus told them to be still and that they would be safe.

So while I could go the direction of Jesus protecting them, because He did, instead I’m choosing to point out that even Jesus got tired and rested and took naps. He was wise and listened to His mind, body and spirit. Think of all the time Jesus spent preaching, teaching, healing, working and more. He surely needed time away to rest His own spirit also to be effective in His ministry.

This really hit me because I am coming off of a season of constant events and occasions. Several months of these things. And then it all stopped hard and fast. I was exhausted, but yet I found myself restless actually wanting to find more fun things to do, closets to organize, plans to have, trips to go on, more socializing, etc.

But God had different plans for me. He brought me to a season of rest and rejuvenation. Not just in my body, but in my spirit and in quiet time with just me and Him. He slowed me down to see the beauty in nature and all He has created. He taught me to be ok with silence and being alone. He taught me to fill my home and heart with prayer, worship and reading the Bible. I was feeling depressed and lonely some during this time. I surely didn’t always turn to God. Sometimes I watched movies, messed around on my phone or stayed busy going to work or doing other things. I also isolated myself sometimes. But doing all of that, while relaxing sometimes truly only fulfilled me temporarily . However, starting my days with Jesus and being with Him throughout the day brought such peace and fulfillment that lasted.

Friends, we weren’t called to constantly be going here and there, constantly socializing, answering every ding to our texts right away as if each one is of utmost importance and cannot wait. Sometimes we must be alone. And alone meaning, all distractions aside including our phones(talking to myself her too ya’ll). We weren’t created to never stop. Even if productive cleaning, yard work, organizing. We must slow down and take time to catch our breaths and rest.

Do you find your mind going a million different directions with lots of “tabs” open all the time? That is because we are entertained and distracted so easily by so many things. Sometimes all we need is to pick up a phone and be disracted by so many things! I know I struggle with this.

Finding time alone isn’t easy for everyone. You must be creative. If you have little ones, it may be slipping away and resting while they are napping even just for 15 minutes before you decide the house needs cleaned and the toys need picked up while they are actually asleep. If you have a demanding job it may be just going to your room for a half hour after work and decompresssing.

So there are two types of rest here. Rest, sleep, naps and then quiet time with Jesus. Both so necessary and so important. You can’t pour out of an empty cup.

I will end with some words to the song “Quiet”. Take some time today to just rest and be quiet and let Jesus give you peace.

“I’ll just be quiet and let Jesus speak through the silence. Here I am, no more hiding. Jesus, you are in this moment, I won’t fight it. I’ll be quiet. Away with the distractions, I want to hear what’s true. The only words that matter, they come from you. Jesus, I’ll just be quiet…”