Perfect Rest

      Lately, Jesus has been teaching me in a small measure what truly relying upon Him looks like. Often, we have things in life that we cling to: food, sleep, relationships, or just anything that brings us comfort and counterfeit joy. A few months ago, I began praying that my entire reliance would be upon Him, that I would not turn to anything else for fulfillment but find true lasting satisfaction in His Presence.

     Then He began to test me on that very point. You see, each one of us has a choice to make in regards to our mornings. It is a very simple answer to a question that applies to every facet of life: am I going to live for the glory of God or for my own, earthly, temporary pleasure? Am I going to sleep in, wake up with just enough time to get ready and get to class, or am I going to set aside time to spend in His Presence? Though the right answer is simple, it requires the complete denial of self.

“But she that lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.” I Timothy 5: 6

     If I choose to live for my own pleasure or what I think will bring true rest, it will only result in death. However, what happens when I choose to deny myself and make Him the number one priority? Is He more important to me than a few extra hours of sleep? Do I crave His Presence so much that I am willing to deny myself?

“I laid me down and slept: I awaked, for the Lord sustained me.” Psalm 3: 5

     The word “sustain” means: to support, lean upon, uphold, refresh, and revive.

“You will show me the path of life. In Your Presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” Psalms 16: 11

     Do we truly believe that Jesus is our rest? Do we truly believe that He only provides true rest, refreshment, and rejuvenation?

     See, the truth is that we don’t need to turn to temporary fixes or solutions in order to find rest or be rejuvenated, even ones that the world deems we “deserve” or “need.” We have a much higher calling as Christians.

“Other ‘Christian’ girls may watch the same movies, listen to the same music, wear the same clothes, and have all the same pop culture addictions as the rest of the world with just slightly higher morals tacked on. But God has called us to a higher standard- the very standard of Jesus Christ. And I believe it’s time we became worthy of the calling we have received.” Leslie Ludy

“We must look upon the world, with all its delights and all its attractions, with suspicion and reserve. We are called to a higher kingdom, we are touched with a Diviner Spirit. It is not that He forbids us this or that comfort or indulgence; it is not that He is stern, demanding us to follow a narrow path. But we who love the Lord and whose affections are set on heavenly things voluntarily and gladly lay aside the things that charm and ravish the world, that, for our part, our hearts may be ravished with the things of heaven, that our whole being may be poured forth in constant and unreserved devotion in the service of the Lord who died to save us."

~ Amy Carmichael

     I have truly discovered this year what seems to be a paradoxical notion. When I let myself have extra “downtime” or sleep in late so as to not have as much time with my sweet Bridegroom who daily beckons me unto Himself, I have less energy throughout the day. However, when I make time in the morning to spend with Him, even if it means less sleep (no matter how significant a loss of sleep it may be), I have more than enough energy and strength for the day and more! He is so faithful to supply every need. And I cannot even begin to explain how much better my day flows and how ready I am to go to battle and truly pour out my life in service to those around me. We must be built in the secret place in order to be able to truly spend our lives for those around us.