This season of my life has been a very busy one. I don't know about you, but sometimes I get very used to having a busy routine. Something about me is I love to hustle and stay busy. I struggle to stay put and sit still. As many of you know, I work at the church full time, but I also have a side business where I have my own store on eBay. This was a hobby that turned into something more over the past few years. I have had to find a balance of working both jobs while juggling family, friends, and a boyfriend. The Lord has been teaching me the value of slowing down my plans and letting Him lead. I don't know about you, but the idea of slowing down honestly scares me. I often feel like if I slow down or take a rest that I am being lazy or not being productive. The Lord often tells us the opposite of what we think we should do. On the seventh day, Jesus rested. I wish that I had thought of this sooner. It's such a simple truth that Jesus rested in His word. I hope you feel encouraged by these verses on resting and slowing down.
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass."
Psalm 37:7
"And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made."
Genesis 2:2-3
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28
These verses really paint a perfect picture of what the Lord asks us to do. We are made in His image and are called to follow in His ways. I love that He wants us to rest and wait on Him. So often I don't come to Him when I'm busy because I am so focused on the task at hand. I constantly need to remind myself that He rested and asks us to come to Him when we have a lot on our plates. Something I've been trying to do recently is to sit in silence and not let anything distract me, even if its for a few minutes. This simple exercise is something that is so hard to do, but resting in the Lord is so rewarding.
Prayer points:
Thank You, Lord, for rest.
Help me to be thankful to sit still and wait on You.
Thank You for Your sacrifice on the cross.
Help me to slow down so I can listen to You.
Dear God,
You are so good, and I'm so thankful for You dying on the cross. I pray that You would help me to slow down and rest in You. Help me to realize that it's far better to sit in the quiet of Your presence then be overwhelmed with the noise of life. Lord, give me a desire to slow down so I can listen to You. I love You, Lord, and am so thankful for rest.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Your Friend,
Stephanie Madore
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