31 Days: Learning to rest through trust

A couple of nights ago I took out my earrings before going to bed. Actually I took out one earring, because I suddenly discovered that the other one was lost.

I know losing an earring is hardly an earth-shattering event, but these were (are) my favourite earrings. I’ve worn them almost every day since I bought them on a holiday in New Zealand two years ago. I love those earrings, so I was dismayed to discover that one was missing.

At the same time I realised that there was a choice to make. I could turn the house upside down looking for the missing earring, and spend a lot of energy fretting over it.

Or, I could choose another path. Much as I love them, they are only earrings after all. So I prayed that if it was possible for the lost earring to be found that the Lord would bring it to my attention so that I would see it. That’s all. And I left it in his hands, trusting him for the outcome. Whether the earring was found or not, it would be okay.

This evening as I got into my car after work I happened to look down and see the lost earring on the floor beneath the steering wheel. Thank you Lord.

Yes, a lost earring is no big deal but in it was an opportunity for me to choose rest through trust. An internal rest, a way of being in relationship with God. And if I can rest in him with the little things then I can learn to rest in him with the big things of life too.

Lost then found. This is the Good News that goes deeper every time we dare to live out who God made us to be in this world. Walking by faith. Placing our trust in him.

Bonnie Gray, Finding Spiritual Whitespace: awakening your soul to rest

This is Day 15 of The Rhythm of Rest series (Write 31 Days challenge).

31 Days: Restless

One of my favourite songs is called “Restless” by Audrey Assad. And yes it’s on the theme of finding our rest in God, so of course I wanted to share it with you.

The YouTube video includes a conversation about rest and about writing the song. I hope you find it encouraging. If you like the song, it’s on Audrey’s album The House You’re Building or you can buy the song by itself on iTunes.

Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.

– Augustine of Hippo, Confessions

This Day 13 of The Rhythm of Rest series (Write 31 Days challenge).

31 Days: And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy

Genesis 2:2-3 

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

Image credit: morguefile.com

May your day be blessed and may you find rest and joy in the presence of the Lord.

This is Day 11 of The Rhythm of Rest series (Write 31 Days challenge).

31 Days: Come away to a quiet place and rest

 
Image credit: morguefile.com

Mark 6:30-32 

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 

Jesus made rest a priority. He and the disciples left in a boat while there were still so many people coming and going. He knew rest was important.

Things didn’t quite go according to plan because people recognised him and ran on foot to meet the boat at its destination. It must have been hard to find a crowd waiting for them when they really just needed some rest. Jesus had compassion on them though and so he taught them, and the disciples fed them. It was late when Jesus sent the disciples off again in the boat while he went up a mountainside to pray. Rest was still important.

Is Jesus inviting you to come with him to a quiet place and get some rest? Does it feel like your rest is being delayed by the needs of others? Ask him to show you how and when to make space to rest with him.

This is Day 10 of The Rhythm of Rest series (Write 31 Days challenge).

31 Days: When only one thing is needed

  

The day started badly, thoughts swirling and coiling in on each other and spiralling down into a place of shadows and dark corners. Challenging conversations, looming deadlines and a lot of work to be done.

Tonight is good; calm and peace is restored. I feel at rest. Tired but not exhausted.

I didn’t do all the right things to incorporate rest or rhythm into my day. I worked while I ate lunch. I ignored my computer’s software that reminds me to take regular breaks – more than once. Yes, I’m definitely a work in progress.

But I did one thing well. I made a very short list of the the most important things for the day and I worked until they were done. I didn’t overestimate what was achievable. I didn’t get distracted by other things. And when I logged out of my computer, picked up my bag and left, I felt a weight lifted and a lightness restored.

And I’m reminded of Martha’s story in Luke:

Luke 10:38-42: As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” 

Mary was distracted with so many things to do and it made her worried and upset, especially with her sister Mary. I wonder if Martha was preparing an extravagant banquet when Jesus would have been happy with a sandwich and her company.

I wonder if Martha was trying to do everything except the one thing that was most important in that moment, being with Jesus.

What if we let go of the many things we’re worried about getting done, and focus on the one thing that is needed right now?

This Day 9 of The Rhythm of Rest series (Write 31 Days challenge).