In my first year of serving long-term in South Africa, this theme of rest was a thread that the Lord weaved throughout my year. It was actually forced upon me for lack of better words and I wouldn’t say it was easy, yet I am so thankful for the lessons.
In Psalm 23, it says, He makes you lie down in green pastures. That is the interesting thing, it isn't an invitation or a suggestion to rest, it is actually a direct command from the Lord!! It is clear then, that we are all called to rest, I believe this concept of rest is often misunderstood. This is not permission to be lazy nor is it an inactive waiting upon God before we do anything or make a move, it is a call to actively know Him deeper and trust that His ways are indeed far surpassing of our ways and thoughts! I believe it is a necessary part of our journey, even God chose to rest after creating for 6 days, He didn’t need to, yet He modeled this. I believe far more for our benefit knowing that it would not only be good, but necessary for us!
After three weeks in Africa, I was hospitalized for the first time in my life with appendicitis, then, I had a herniated disc in my back needing to lie down a majority of the time (limiting car rides, long walks, etc…) for about a month and a half, then I ended my year with 3 months of quite intense diarrhea, which again forced me to lie down especially for the final 5 weeks. My prayer at the end was, Lord, let me get the lesson you have for me, so we don’t do this again. As I write this, I am just remembering some of the lessons that He showed me and after a busy time in the states, I am needing to remind myself yet again of these powerful Truths!!
He taught me that Rest is something that is actually available at ALL times, no matter what is happening around me! Whether there are conflicts going on, intense pain in my body, a possible serious diagnosis at hand, lack of sleep for days or all of the above, it is a place where I can trust knowing that I can’t change a circumstance, yet I can believe and trust that He is greater and rest in Him and His promises! It is an invitation of deeper intimacy with Jesus that is available to know Him even more profoundly! I can’t even take credit for my ability to rest in Him, it is by His grace and constantly choosing His ways, knowing my weakness is His strength and declaring His promises that allows me to REST in Him!
It is in this very place of surrendering the doing to let Him do in me what He has in store knowing that it is far greater than my weak efforts! He isn't interested in maintaining a status quo with me, He wants me to actually BE with Him! During this time He taught me of His supernatural Grace and Strength for His plans. He had already spoken to me that I would begin to sing again for Him, He opened the door to worship with a team while I was still physically so weak. Yet, He gave me incredible strength! There was some chaos and drama going on in our children’s village and He allowed me to help be part of His solutions to find the peace in some of the hearts and storms around our family that were happening. In a time where energy for the simplest of tasks like showering or cooking food for myself was sometimes too much, He graced me with His energy and strength for His greater plans and purposes. His ways are always better, higher and different than our ways!
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I wrote the above about a year and a half ago, this is so pertinent for me today.
Currently, I have been here in South Africa long term for 3 years and again, this topic of REST has come full circle AGAIN in a more forced upon me way!!! ;) It is clearly so important to the Lord, actually, the Lord put this topic on my heart to study nearly two months ago (about a week and a half) before this sickness came upon me. How sweet of Him to give me a heads up... Of course, I didn't know I was about to enter yet again into an intimate and very intense experience of resting!!
I have diarrhea again now for over 5 weeks and a fever for over 3 weeks, been lots of waiting with many inconclusive tests and too many doctor appointments!! Yet, the Lord has told me that I will be healed and I stand on that Truth in His perfect timing (NOT mine), and while He didn’t cause the sickness, He allowed it… And the beautiful consequence… REST in Him! I get yet another opportunity to sit by His still waters, drink and eat from His table and enjoy the beautiful rich green and luscious pastures around me!
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| And when we REST, the Father gives an incredible invitation to come higher and see things from His perspective! |
