Permission to rest…
45th Wedding Anniversary in Martha’s Vineyard, MA
These last two months have been very busy! At the beginning of October my husband Keith and I celebrated 45 years of marriage by touring the fall colors of the beautiful east coast states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, and New Hampshire. We are so thankful for God’s love for us, and His agape love within us that we have for one another. “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
In September, FellowshipLink celebrated 12 years of “R” Time Getaways! “R” stands for Return to God, Renew our mind with the Word of God, Reflect upon the promises of God, Relax our bodies, and Rest our spirit, soul and body – and I added one more – Refresh ourselves in the fellowship of other women in the presence of God.
Our theme for this year was "You Have Permission to Rest". In Jeremiah 6:16 NKJV we read, “Thus says the Lord: “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.”
What? Who said that? We all have said it in our own way when we do not take the time to rest. With anxiety and burnout on the rise within our society, many are feeling exhausted, yet have exchanged rest for zoning out on 24-hour tv/phone entertainment, medication and/or other substances, or just continue in over-productivity until their body shuts down!
In Matthew 11:28-30, the Message, Jesus says, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Jesus has given us permission to rest in Him. Jesus is “The Way” the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Jesus provides us with a “good way” when He says, “Come get away with me and I will give you rest. Take some time to rest. It is good for your spirit, soul (mind, will, and emotions), and your body.
It’s good to know that we have been given P-E-R-M-I-S-S-I-O-N to rest, and this is how:
Put yourself in position “…Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.” Mark 1:35 NLT
Every day to “…Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” Psalm 5:3 NLT
Rest “On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.” Genesis 2:2 NLT
Make an effort, and be “Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest.” Hebrews 4:11 NIV
Intentional to “Do what I tell you. Learn what I teach you….Then your hearts will rest.” Matthew 11:29 WE
Set some time to “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31 NIV
Sit with God “…Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.” Psalm 37:7 NLT
In His Presence and “Come to Me…” Matthew 11:28 MSG
Omit all distractions to "Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing…” Philippians 4:6-7 TPT
Never stop resting in the Lord “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.” Hebrews 4:9 JUB
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Love, Dr. Carla