“My soul is tired!” I wept to God.
You see, when people ask how I am I usually respond with “I’m good!” But God knows the truth; my entire being is exhausted. Mind, body and soul.
I kept hearing “Becca, the world can wait.” God, my world doesn’t wait. I have a business to run, calls to answer, relationships and friendships to maintain, laundry and dishes to do. I have to go grocery shopping, meal prep, take my dog for a walk, finish writing the next chapter in my book and squeeze in a shower at some point. I have to figure out how to reschedule three appointments on Tuesday because I over booked my calendar, schedule that oil change I’ve put off for over two months and I still need to find something nicer to wear to that wedding next weekend. All to which God quickly made clear, it is His world not mine, it absolutely can and will wait.
So I rested.
Sunday came and I shut off my phone. I listened to six sermons on rest, taking a nap in between each one. I prayed for God to be with me while I slept. Whenever my fears, anxieties or to do list would come to mind I would say “God help me rest.” Resting was turning out to be even more difficult than I had expected.
I watched a movie. I know what you’re thinking, wow Becca you watched a movie. But I haven’t had the patience or the attention span to sit down in my own home and watch an entire movie in one sitting in years. It has been actual years since I have been still enough to do such a mundane thing. This particular movie was about a man who met God after a tragedy. It presented lessons on faith, forgiveness and love. It was without a doubt God speaking directly to me.
Is my soul still weary? Absolutely. One day of rest did not undo twenty-four years of constant. It did however allow me to spend time alone with God. To obey His command and receive His gift of rest.
I can’t give your soul rest just by sharing what I have learned. I do hope that my message encourages you to spend time with God. You yourself will have to do the resting so that God can replenish your soul and bless you.
-B