“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:8b-10
When I was growing up, before I knew Christ, people would often tell me to “relax”. “Just relax! Don’t be so uptight!” This was very offensive to me. As I thought more about why it was so upsetting, I came to realize that it brought to the surface an acute sense of helplessness. I really did want to “relax”. I wanted to be one of those “laid back people”. Little did I know then that this was absolutely impossible without the Holy Spirit living in me.
When I began my journey with Christ, I saw in the writings of many Christians the importance of “resting in God”. But truthfully, it remained a mystery to me. It sounded good. “It’s okay! Lay your burdens down! Just rest in the Lord!” People talked about it like it was so easy to do, and like everyone knew “how” to do it. All I knew was that I did not know how to “do” it, and so desperately wanted to know! So I prayed, and asked God to please teach me, and He did.
Let me begin by confessing this: I leave His rest and go off on my own many times a day. Sometimes I do it willfully, but most of the time I don’t even know I’m doing it. In the past, once I realized I had sinned, I would hide out of fear that God was mad at me and just tired of my imperfect ways. I mean, how many times did He have to tell me the same thing? I would hope He didn’t see my straying, and try my hardest to do better before I showed up at His throne again. I lived in this seemingly endless striving for a long time! As you can guess, it is impossible to rest there. The sad part is, I was really trying my best to do the “right thing”. Unfortunately, I was all wrong about what that “right thing” was! I believe many well-meaning Christians live on this merry-go-round.
Over time, I read and understood more and more of God’s Word. He showed me over and over- “If you want to rest in Me, you must know what my Word says is true so you don’t fall prey to lies”. I realized that He was willing to bring me into His rest, at any time. But I had to choose to believe and live according to His Word no matter how I felt- no matter how many times the enemy of my soul tried to convince me that God was sick of me and “not taking me back this time”! But God’s word triumphs over our enemy every time! It is powerful and effective, and it never comes back empty. His Word tells me- and you- to come boldly before His throne, so that is what He expects me to do. It tells me that if I am honest about my heart condition and ask for forgiveness, He is righteous and just to forgive me. It tells me that His grace is sufficient for me. Jesus and His sacrifice are enough. When He said, “It is finished!“, He meant it. I am not the one exception to the rule, and neither are you! How beautiful this is!
So now, instead of running, the second I realize that I have strayed from Him- trying to figure out my life and plans on my own or thinking my way is better (aka- not resting!)- I immediately ask His forgiveness, accept His boundless mercy, and gratefully make my way back. I do it very imperfectly, but when I turn to Him, He meets me where I am. He will do the same for you!
God’s Word also tells us to rejoice in Him always. To thank Him and purposefully remember His faithfulness. I believe that these times of confession and restoration are powerful times to thank God and remember His unfailing love! They are times to lay down a proverbial “stone of remembrance” like our Fathers since Abraham have done. We need to have in front of our mind’s eye all that God has done for us- not just as Christians, but personally, those things that are just between us and Him.
We live each day in a treacherous battle. Our Heavenly Father yearns to heal us and equip us so He can release us to the fight, not from the fight. It is amazing to me that we can be in the midst of the battle, but the depths of our soul can still be at peace. But because of Jesus, this is possible! Not only that, but it is an incredible testimony, one that speaks very loudly, to the people who don’t know Christ! They are at a loss as to how we can love unloving people, react in trust instead of fear despite real grief and sadness and difficulty, have peace and real joy in the midst of our own disease and pain, give away our money and comfort and time for the sake of others who may not even be thankful, and the list goes on. Let us seek Him more deeply for their sake and ours! Let us live a life that will warrant the words we all long to hear on the glorious day we finally see our Savior face to face: “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”
Memory Scripture
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)
Prayer
Father, shine Your light through us this day so others can see, experience, and be drawn to You through us! Help us to seek to live more fully in Your Presence and rest. We know it is a precious gift, and those who do not know You and Your grace desperately need us to accept it fully! Show us ways we each can each individually live more fully at rest in You. We know we can always grow in this area! We love You, Father. Raise us up to live powerfully in and for Your Holy Name and Your Kingdom!
