There comes a time when we all need to take permission to be blessed by rest. And sometimes we need to be reminded of what that even looks like. For me, it’s time alone in the mountains with a cup of coffee, God, and a book. Okay, a LOT of books : )
Our souls need to unplug from the world. To seek rest – whatever restores our charge. It’s unique for each of us. The important thing is that we grant ourselves permission. Because generally, no one else will.
A month ago I decided to get bold. Declare enough to the endless race and list of things to do.
So we tucked our elderly trailer away in a secluded spot in the mountains near our home. I loaded up my favorite things – hubby, books, Bibles, coffee, and treats and went away for a while. We’ve left the trailer there. I go back whenever I can. The benefits have been tremendous! It was EXACTLY what I needed to recharge.
With me was a Divinely timed book: Finding Spiritual Whitespace. So powerful I want it for all of my friends. To validate the importance of our need to slow down. Be still. To plug in. Be filled up by the One Who waits for us in silence.
So let’s give our busy, harried, weary, over-giving, constant-doing selves permission to slow down and receive rest – whatever that means to you. If you’re not even sure what that looks like, this book may help sort it out.
Perhaps, like me, you’ll discover upon your return a happier, reenergized, more productive and pleasant self now residing in your skin. Then truly, everyone around you will be blessed by your rest.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ~ Matthew 11:28 NIV
Amen.
Question: What would it look like to give yourself permission to slow down and be blessed by rest?
Joanna, this couldn’t have been more well timed for me. In the last couple of weeks God has brought Exodus 14:14 to me in many ways, I’ve heard 2 sermons from different pastors about taking a Sabbath day and filling up and refreshing. I even wrote my own blog recently about being still http://tracihaney.wordpress.com/2014/06/09/be-still/
Then Michael Hyatt posted a blog about being still the next day with an almost identical picture….now this. Do you think God is trying to tell me something??? Haha! Thank you for being yet another confirmation to what He is speaking to me 🙂 You hit the nail on the head 🙂
Great to hear from you Traci! And yes, I too and aiming to live more and more in Exodus 14:14. I usually find when He is speaking something to us, we are not alone in receiving that Message. The tricky part in RECEIVING the Message is being still enough to NOTICE it. The distractions of this world are simply amazing. Point in case: I wrote and posted that blog post in the morning citing Matthew 11:28. Then hubby and I drove clear across the state in the evening listening to the new Joyce Meyer CDs I had just received and I didn’t even notice till reviewing your message and re-reading my post that the entire Joyce message was focused on Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” What a great blog post you wrote. And I would add that when we try to get still, it is all the junk that comes up first (satan’s countless distractions and lies and fears and ego-based garbage) that we have to keep setting aside determined to be still. And then ‘the still small voice’ comes. It’s such a catch 22: that we have to be still and rest in order to HEAR. In the meantime, God never seems to give up sending us those countless reminders from every direction in hopes that we might notice a pattern : ) I suspect the whole world (or at least the world of women) is really in need of REST, after which much of the ‘stuff’ that clutters our minds and lives would simply sort itself out. Again, thanks for sharing and great to hear from you!
Hi Joanna, I just saw your camping board on Pinterest and looks like we share the same tastes. We also love to get in the way for rest in the mountains – both camping and backpacking. I love the solitude, the beauty, and the time away from the computer! We usually tent but just bought a little used Tab trailer which is really fun so we’re feeling pretty luxurious. Glad to connect! Oh, we are in western Montana (Hamilton).
Hi Barb, Great connecting with you as well! I’ve wanted a camper since I was kid and love getting away in our little home away from home. Have spent a lot of time tenting over the years as well. Time away in nature is the one sure-fire way to recharge my batteries. You are lucky to live in Montana. We spent 2 weeks there last summer. Such a big, beautiful place!