By Hannah Childs

August 5th, 2017

“However great the work may be for which we are responsible, we will always do well if we stop to spend time in Sacred Praise.”  Charles Spurgeon

I look forward to summer – the long days of sunshine beckoning me outside  and the imaginings of sun sparkles on the water (complete with playful fun and laughter ensuing).  However, work still need to get done – even in summer. Dishes and laundry persist. And there’s additional to-do’s: The lawn needs mowing, windows need washing, and the garden needs tending.

Yet the Lord speaks about rest.  He says Be still and know that I am God.  Psalm 46:10. Or in Jeremiah 31:25 He says, I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.

I’ve heard it said that busy-ness can be artificial significance.  However, you don’t even have to be overly busy to be distracted from true rest and hearing from God.  In my pondering I realized how intentional I need to be to take even just a few moments of respite each day.

So early in the cool early morning, I have stepped outside, and just looked around me. On the glorious splendor of your majesty and on your wonderful works I will meditate. Psalm 145:5.  I am so moved by the grandeur of the trees, the beauty of the skies, and the sounds of the birds that I began to sing How Great thou Art, Great is thy Faithfulness, or, Holy Holy Holy, Lord God Almighty, All thy works shall praise your name in earth and sky and sea!  Even in music and in the Psalms, emphasis is punctuated by a rest: Selah (Contemplate. Reflect.)

Jack Hayford commented on rest: “It’s for the purpose of altering our usual pattern in order that something regenerative, renewing, and re-creative would take place in us physically, mentally, and spiritually. That we would be restored to the wholeness God intends for us-in relationship with Him, in our behavior, in our bodies and minds, and in everything we do.”

Deut. 33:27 tells us The eternal God is a dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.  A successful strategy for life includes taking time to rest in the Lord. He gives security and strength in the midst of any season – one that’s especially busy, or even when the goal is to take time for fun and relaxation.  And (resting) In His presence is fullness of joy. Psalm 16:11

There are so many verses to gently remind us to seek rest and refreshment in the Lord. Psalm 23:3 He leads me beside still waters…He restores my soul.

Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.

Proverbs 3:7a-8 Fear the Lord – it will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.

As part of a body of believers seeking the full healing power of the Lord, I do well to pay attention to God’s words of putting Him first and finding my rest in Him, as He promises healing and refreshment as a result.  And God Himself models rest. Ex. 31:17b: In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.

One way that I am finding a great wellspring of refreshment outside of my time in nature and meditation, is with my brothers and sisters at Stonewater on Saturday nights.  With the worship, word and ministry time, I consistently leave feeling I have filled my well, and re-ignited my love affair with Jesus and the body of believers around me.

Hope you can join us for some rejuvenation time this summer.

Refreshed in Jesus,

Hannah