We Were Made for Rest

We were made for rest. Are you resting in the promises of Christ?

Toys scatter the living room floor. Suitcases sit waiting to be emptied. The washing machine hums as it works to catch up on neglected laundry. The work sits by the computer waiting to be finished. To-do lists grow into monstrous stacks of administrative madness. And this is only what I can see from where I am sitting …

In my own strength, I am failing.

I feel behind on life, and I crave the routine that follows the chaos of travel and busyness.

Canaan was the earthly rest that was offered to the people of God in the Old Testament.

However, even after going through Egypt, the Red Sea, and Sinai, an entire generation did not get to experience God’s rest because they hardened their hearts.

They rebelled against God.

They tested God.

They failed to believe Him, and as a result, they perished in the wilderness and were prohibited from entering God’s rest.

Just like the Israelites, too often, I come right up to the edge of entering into freedom and fullness and fruitfulness in Christ, and then my heart is hardened.

I look at giants.

I look at my circumstances.

I quiver in fear, and I say, “I’m not going forward. I’m not believing God. I’m too tired. I’m too weary.”

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. Hebrews 3:12

As a wife and a mom of young children, my days (and nights!) are hard.

More often than not, I fail to believe that God is capable of providing me with the rest that I long for.

Oh, but if only I would put off unbelief…

I need the shield of faith, faith that holds firm to Jesus Christ all the way to the finish line (even when I’m weary and worn).

I cannot accomplish my goals in my own strength, with my own plans, with my own ideas of success.

I must instead say that Jesus Christ is enough.

My greatest need has been met through the finished work of Christ.

And because of this truth, God has promised me a present rest, a life of freedom and fullness and fruitfulness in Christ.

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:10

The life of rest is a life of faith, faith in Christ and Christ alone.

It is not faith in my own ability or my own strength.

I will not experience rest here in this life – the peace, the abundance, the freedom, the fullness, the fruitfulness –as long as I am striving in my own effort to be who God wants me to be.

It has to be Him at work in me for me to experience peace that surpasses all understanding.

So I must ask you.

Are you resting in the peace that God has offered you today, or are you striving to accomplish all of your work in your own strength?

My friends, Christ longs to carry your burden for you. It’s hard enough being you without carrying that which was never meant for you to carry.

For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? Psalm 18:30

Will you enter His rest today?

If you’re interested in learning more about rest and want to learn it straight from the Word of God, then check out my free topical bible reading plan all about rest.

We live in a fast-paced society, and it is an ever-present battle to stop the hurry and flurry of life and just slow down.

To just rest.

This Bible reading plan is designed to help you gain a biblical understanding of rest so that you might grow in experiencing God’s rest this side of Heaven.

Click here to learn more and get your free downloadable Bible reading plan on rest.