A Summer of Rest

This post is dedicated to each of my heart-warming brothers & sisters in Christ 

on the 2016 Summer Show Off's staff. 

“We may not want to want Him. But we do. We were fashioned to. We are dying to find someone worthy of our unabashed, wholly unguarded trust. We’re all looking for Jesus.” - Beth Moore

After stuffing two s’mores cookies in my mouth, downing a cup of coffee or two, and surfing “Country French” interiors on Pinterest, I can still say that the quiet of a house demands to be met with whole-hearted provoking thought. Nothing can satisfy the empty hours like pulling out my Bible, devotion book, and prayer journal.  It’s crazy to me that I often try to run after sporadic past-times instead of a soul-prickling God. 

This summer I have unearthed the whole time-capsule of this summer into one word- rest. 

I must attribute this whole idea to my friend Mario. He has a way of preaching the word of God in a way that “sticks!” And the word, REST, seems to stick the landing as the description to my perfect summer!

In Mark 6:8-9 it says, “He (Jesus) charged them (the disciples) to take nothing for their journey except a staff - no bread, no bag, no money in their belts- but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.” Mario talked of Jesus’ disciples leaving in a whirl of missions with only the clothes on their backs- staffs in hand. Talk about relying on God for actually EVERYTHING. How can you find rest in that situation?

Recently, I have run head strong into some maniac Christians that love the Lord and are not afraid to let you know EXACTLY how the Lord has transformed their daily living. Coming to rest within the arms of my Savior and a good group of Christians has been needed. Even though some days are ended in exhaustion, I feel a sense of rest in my everyday as I work and live beside these maniacs. Forty 3rd and 4th graders can really wear you out, but when my soul rests in the sovereignty of my Savior, supernatural energy soups into the moments where my flesh often fails. And don’t get me wrong, I still fail over and over again. But I do know that I’m in love with these people that have charged their sins onto God’s ticket and have humbly started living with contagious freedom.

And more importantly, I’m in love with my God and Savior. It’s been a fun summer of taking my staff and tie-dyed tunic while all along the way letting God lead. I’ve had to learn how to let God lead without my “feelings” and what I WANT get in the way. It’s been so much fun learning to rely on God day in and day out. 

Matthew 18:3-4 says, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Watching all of my friends sell-out to an All-powerful God, is invigorating and refreshing. There isn’t time or room for doubt, pride, and self-centered living. Trust is something I’ve always struggled with, but I catch my heart giggling in childish ways when I pull out my Bible now. 

So whether you’re choreographing a dance, a tax return (I don't know why I used this as an example... I've never done one of these myself), or a grocery list, let God seep into your every action and decision first and foremost. Let him lead you in this dance of life. Rest in his arms and let him lead the way. This world is no graham-cracker full of molten chocolate and sticky marshmallows; it can be a little rough out there. But God is waiting to give us rest and peace. Call on his name, and hit your knees tonight. He’s waiting to replenish your soul in a way no-one and nothing can!

All the glory to God & Sweet dreams, AC

P.S. I still cling to this verse over and over again. It’s my favorite. Nahum 1:7 says, 

“The Lord is good a stronghold in a day of distress, He cares for those who take refuge in Him.” 

Now sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite!