Strength Through Rest
Consider this quote, “The eagle that soars in the upper air does not worry about how to cross rivers.”
Gladys Aylward, an English missionary to China, shared a remarkable insight through that brief illustration. It brings our thoughts to Isaiah 40:31 where the prophet , Isaiah, shows us the pathway to not fainting nor growing weary. He explores the strength we find by waiting in God’s presence.
Gladys’ statement above really makes sense. With all of the hustle and bustle and busyness over these past months, I have physically and mentally stretched myself a little too far more often than usual. It resulted in finding myself concerned with how to cross rivers though, in reality, I was soaring far above them.
Are you doing the same? Are you worrying yourself of how to cross rivers though you are soaring far above them? It is time to stop the busyness and wait in God’s presence; His promise of strength is active within you! His guarantee of guidance is working in your spirit. But, maybe you need to physically be refreshed as well in order for you to hear, see, and understand more clearly.
What’s that I hear you saying? “But Pastor Gary, you just do not get it. There are so many things that need to be done and no one else is here to do them. I do not have a single spare moment to rest.”
Yes, I do understand. I have been saying the same thing for months now, myself.
Here is what I am praying, “Dear Lord, You know the willingness and obedience of my heart. You know how I long to do everything pleasing in Your sight. You also completely see the many tasks at hand and all of the different directions my attention is being pulled. Dear God, I need some rest. As I read scripture today, I hear Jesus saying to me, His disciple, ‘Come and rest.’ Lord, I am asking You to help me discover a time when I can be refreshed. Open the door for me to rest and be refreshed to more effectively and effectually minister for You and be the person You have created me to be.”
I know He is doing it for me! I also know that He will do it for you as well! What will it profit you to gain the whole world, yet lose your own soul? You are important to Your Heavenly Father. You need to be strong physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and socially! And, strength not only comes through diligently working, it also comes through rest! It comes through waiting in God’s presence. It is the power of a hope which realizes that God will take complete care of things while you are refreshed.
Increasing in Christ,
Pastors Gary & Alisa Linn
