I am going to read you an article that I wrote for the Gritty Faith Magazine.
This one is called Slowing Down and Making Space for Rest. This is the spring version. I wrote four different articles and you’ll get to hear them throughout the year. So I’m excited to share these with you. It’s each season of the year, you’ll likely encounter different challenges. Through each season, you have an opportunity to slow down and make space for rest.
Rest that in rejuvenates, renews, restores your soul, mind, body, and spirit.
Driving our rented minivan into Red Rocks Canyon National Land and Conservation Area. I first noticed all the greens in the desert. There was more gorgeous oranges and tropical reds combined with purples and blues and green cactus. Having never lived in the desert, I stared at the explosion of color standing out vividly against the rust, red, brown backdrop of dirt. It’s as if the world were waking up to springtime. My family and I set out to hike further into the canyon following the sound of rushing water. As we passed bees bobbled between the flowers. We paused to drink in its luscious shade. Our northern bodies wilting and sweating on accustomed to the spring heat of Las Vegas, Nevada. When we got to the waterfall, there was even more green gathered around the seasonal water. A gift of life in the desert flowing from snow melting in the mountains above us.
Nature understands the season and the ebb and flow of life in the desert, waiting for the right moment to bloom, spreading their leaves and growing. They seek the life giving water that feeds and sustains each flower pet. Similar to life in the desert, which gathers around the stream of water or waits for wetter seasons to bloom.
Believers too can follow their example and seek the source of life. The psalmist, if Psalm one writes, blessed is the man who walks not in the council of the wicked, nor stands in the way of the sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scoffers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law, he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by the streams of water that yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither. And that’s from the ESV. Likewise, Jesus in John four 14 says, whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
Once my family and I had reached that gorgeous waterfall, we paused and rested. My young sons hot, sweaty, and crabby, put their heads in the stream, anxious for relief from the overbearing sun and heat instinctively they too seek water. We rested in the cool, taking time to refresh ourselves. They visibly perked up walking upright, talking and laughing with joy over the cool water and stopped whining about how hot they were. As a believer, you have access to your living water, Jesus, anytime. All you need to do is seek him and sit at his feet. Resting, which is an act of faith, the Psalmist says, as a dear, pants for flowing streams, so pants, my soul for you, oh God. Psalm 42, 1.
Your soul knows the answer to the longing in your heart. What will give rest in the midst of weariness and rejuvenate you, keeping your body and your mind moving forward? Be intentional this spring about seeking him. Give your soul the living water it needs to sustain your life. Rest isn’t just sleeping. It’s what rejuvenates, restores and refreshes you. Mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically. Similar to the well watered flowers, decorating the desert, lush and bright, you too can live a life full of color and life that comes from the living water of Jesus.
Some ideas for rest can look like:
- Going for a walk or hike while praying.
- Planning a day off weekly to rest.
- Have a date with a life-giving friend who points you to Christ baking or cooking something to bless others, knit, crochet, or so while listening to praise music or a good book.
- Write a prayer or Bible verse or verses or, and journal your thoughts.
- Sit in silence and talk to Jesus and friend.
I hope that you’ll make room for rest this spring.
I know things get busy. We’re heading into May, which is a busy, busy season for so many people wrapping up the school year.
My heart is that you will learn how good rest is and that you will take those times in your day, in your week just to pause, sit at the feet of Jesus. Enjoy your time there. Do things that give you rest. Rest fuels our work. Rest fuels life. It keeps us going. It keeps us from burning out. It helps us to keep going when the going is hard. And it is something that we see biblically in what Jesus has done for us as an example of him resting himself in his busy season of ministry.
We need to constantly be tapping into our life source, and I really, really encourage you to do that this spring.
If you are looking for other articles like what I just read, the Gritty Faith Magazine is full of great articles. There are articles for all throughout the year and it’s gorgeous. You guys, the design team is amazing and the pictures are so beautiful. I love seeing how they transform. My words into something that looks amazing. So you can get that over on their website, which is purposegrit.com
I thank you guys for listening, and I hope you have a very refreshing, wonderful rest of your spring.
