Derbe days
I LOVE SUMMER! Why?
Because as the weather gets warmer, my life begins to move a little slower, flowers burst into full bloom, lightning bugs start blinking and all are signaling to me it’s time to sit in my hammock and…REST!
AHHH! Blissful, sweet rest!
Do you give yourself permission to rest? Believe it or not, resting is part of becoming spiritually mature. It is a bit like putting on our own oxygen mask before helping others.
If we are unable to function, we can be of no use to God or to others, as He tells us in the book of Isaiah: “...In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength...” (Isaiah 30:15).
How do you rest and gain refreshment in order to face life’s next challenge?
Rest can take many forms. Personally, I’ve never been much of a “napper” but I do love a good cup of tea, a great book, and time to enjoy it. I love listening to praise music, praying (preferably in the Adoration chapel) and reading the Psalms or at other times going for a brisk jog or even indulging in a hearty belly-laugh at a funny movie. All of these things serve to restore me physically, mentally and spiritually.
God gives us enough strength each day to do what HE asks of us. If you are exhausted most of the time, perhaps pray and see if you are trying to do more than He is asking of you. Don’t compare yourself to others, ask God what He is specifically asking YOU to do...and then ask for the grace and the strength to do it. But know--REST, in whatever form works best for you, is an important part of the formula for success.
My mom always said, “You have to take your ‘Derbes’ where you can find them.”
(She was referring to the town in Acts 14 where Paul went after being stoned before he was able to finish the great work God had in store for him to do.)
See if perhaps this summer you can carve out a few moments each day for your own personal “Derbe” in order to be rested, renewed and refreshed ...all for your great good and His greater glory--and then truly enjoy the sweetness of the season.
“The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.’” Mark 6:30-31.
Dear Lord,
In my fast-paced life, I need to learn how and when to REST! I want to keep in step with Your Spirit, not lagging behind or charging ahead, but going at Your pace and enjoying the journey. Please go with me now and give me the strength I need to do all that you have planned for me to do and the wisdom to know when to REST in and for Your glory.
I ask this in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
