As believers, we must learn to recognize that there are spiritual seasons. There is a season of plowing where we break up hard ground. Many times this is characterized by repentance. There is a season of planting where we listen to teachers and we receive the word of God. There is a season of waiting for the Word to grow in us and there is a season of harvest where we live the Word and establish the Kingdom.
There is also a season of rest. “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. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. ” (Mark 6:30–33, NIV84)
Jesus recognizes that there are times in our walk with Him that we must just take time to rest and to be with Him. Sometimes this is a season of transition as things are changed and set in motion around us.
There are times when I sense the greatness of the spiritual battle all around me. I sense a heaviness in the Spirit. I feel a tiredness and even an exhaustion. A few years ago, the Lord told me that when I felt this all I needed to do was lay down and rest. My resting was and is an expression of faith and trust.
When I rest, I am committing the battle to the Lord. When I rest I am acknowledging my trust and my dependence upon the Lord. When I rest, I am not worrying about the battles. When I rest, I am being made strong in the Presence of the Lord.
Our rest in Him is as much an act of devotion and worship as every other part of our Christian walk.
This is how I rest. Usually I acknowledge the heaviness I feel in the spirit. I commit it to Jesus. I lay down. I close my eyes and I sleep in His presence. Many times when I awaken, the heaviness is gone and I am left with the realization that indeed God was warring on my behalf.
Take time to rest with Jesus!
“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. ” (Psalm 62:1, NIV84)
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1, NIV84)
