Rest as an act of Trust

The newly appointed apostles have just completed a heady trip--sent out by Jesus to preach the good news of the Kingdom, call people to repent, and with authority to cast out evil spirits and heal the sick. They are interrupting one another as they share their amazing experiences. “Hold it,” the Master says laughing. “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31 “Rest? When we are just discovering the joy of ministering?”  

The word translated here as “rest” is unusual in the New Testament, yet rest is such a central part of how God made us—in His image—and part of who He is: One who rests. He set up the Sabbath rest in the Old Testament as an important ritual that man needed, even though today, we largely ignore it, to our detriment.

The word is only translated one other time as “rest” in the New Testament, in the familiar passage in Matthew 11:28-30:

“Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened,

and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,

for I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

In his gospel account of the apostles returning from ministering, Luke records Jesus’ invitation as “withdraw by yourselves.” Luke 9: 10. Withdrawing is something Jesus did often—early in the morning, sometimes at night after a busy day ministering. I wonder what Jesus was doing at those times. Was it a time for Jesus to get instructions for the day ahead? Or was it just time to reconnect with his loving Father and the Spirit, to remember Who he was and Whose he was; to gather courage for the day ahead? Just to be? Without agenda? Just to enjoy their closeness?

So why this invitation to the apostles now? Was it a reminder of keeping everything in perspective? Yes, the ministering is valuable and important, as people’s lives are changed. And, the time to rest, to withdraw, to sit in the presence of God is also valuable. Think of the story of Jesus’ interaction with Martha as she complained to him that her sister Mary was not helping with the serving: “Mary has chosen what is better.” Luke 10:42

I wonder what rest means to you. What do you do when you withdraw from the busyness of your life? And I wonder what God is inviting you into. Is it a challenge to let go of productivity and enter rest as an act of trust? To acknowledge that we can achieve nothing of lasting value on our own? To believe that He is able to take care of your loved ones and provide for them what they need? If I stop working, will the work get done?

I was invited to share a little about rest at our church's youth retreat this past weekend. As I sat with God wondering what to say, the Spirit dropped into my mind an idea: have them write acrostic poems using the letters of REST, either from the perspective of God inviting them to consider some aspect of rest or from their perspective talking to God about rest.

I'm sharing here some of their poems. Read them slowly. If one speaks to you, sit with it and allow God to speak to you through these words.

Really

Exceptional

Stillness…

Tomorrow

God says to me:

Release your sins and be redeemed by my blood.

Enter my presence

Be Sustained in me

Trust your continued path is in My hands

Really

Let go

Stop struggling and

Tarry with Me

Father, Reimagine my concept of rest

          Exorcise the doubts, fears, worries, and wants

Sit with me in this time of quiet stillness

Take my weary soul and nourish me.

Lord, how do I rest

in solitude my mind whirls

But you Lord quiet my thoughts

time and time again.

You work Really hard

You Exhaust yourself

Stay with me

Take my yoke—it’s so much lighter

In My presence, I will Restore your soul

I want you to Experience My love

My gift to you in this Stillness is Myself

As you Trust, you know Me more fully

Respond to God’s call

Exhale out burdens and anxiety

Be Still and silent

Think about nothing and something

Relief

Easy

Slow

Time

Respond to me when I call, oh Lord

Entrust me, YHWH, my vows rest on you

Set my gaze upon your glory

To rest on you and your holy word

              Let my prayer be counted as incense

              On your promises do I rest

              Vindicate me from my enemies

              Extend your hand over me.

Reply to me in your mercy, oh God

Enable me, to prepare your way

Spirit, guide me in your ways

Trust in the Lord, all you weary!

Beside still waters, I will Restore your soul

I want you to Experience my Love

My gift to you in the Stillness is Myself

Allow me to be your God and Trust Me with everything

Really, God? Really?

Especially now, at this most inopportune of times.

Somehow, someday, I hope that this agony will become true rest, and I’ll be able to say

Thank You.

Now it's your turn to write a poem using this acrostic. Think of what God's words are to you, His invitation, or write it as if you are sharing your heart with Him.

I'd love to hear from you. Please share your poem in the comments section below.

Be blessed as you take this quiet time to sit with God and contemplate how to bring this valuable habit of rest in His presence into the rhythm of your daily like.