Originally published Monday, 02 June 2014.
Sometimes it feels wrong to think about yourself.
Isn't it selfish to focus on what you want or need, when there is a long list of more important things?
Maybe we're afraid if we took time out for quiet rest, soothing moments, we might realize how much we've put our hearts to the side. It's easier to be functional rather than soft and tender.
We wouldn't want to let anyone down. We wouldn't want to stop -- in fear, we'd realize we really need to -- in fear, we'd really want to.
Quiet makes us vulnerable.
Quiet connects us to our heart.
The truth of how things really are.
The truth is this: who you are -- your heart -- is more important to God than any thing you can (or cannot) do for Him.
God loves you. Cherishes your heart. Deeply. Irrevocably. Competely.
Maybe that's why rest is one of only three ambitions that God explicitly calls out in the Bible. T
The other two are preaching the gospel and pleasing God. (Rom15:20, 2Cor5:9)
"We urge you, brethren, to excel still more,
and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet {restful} life."
1Thess. 4:10–11
Turns out hesuchazo—the Greek word used for quiet and rest—is as important as preaching the gospel and pleasing God.
The more I’m able to enjoy rest, the more others will see God’s life in me.
When my soul is at rest, I am free to please God right where I am.
I had always centered my thinking on pleasing God and preaching the gospel through what I did. But now, hesuchazo frees me to live the gospel by nurturing who I am with quiet rest.
When you choose a quiet moment over producing or performing, you step into a beautiful space of receiving all you want to give to those you love -- beauty, joy, intimacy, laughter, presence.
Feeding your soul isn't selfish.
This is how stories of those we love change.
When we begin living a better story of rest. With God.
~~~~~
How do like to enjoy a quiet moment?
What encourages or discourages you from enjoying a quiet moment?
Pull up a chair. Click to comment. This is a quiet space for you & me.
~~~~~
Today's post is Day 2 of Bonnie Gray's special Book Launch Blog Tour Series -- {21 Days of Rest: Finding Spiritual Whitespace}. Click here to read Day 1 and the entire series on rest.
Order a copy of Bonnie Gray's memoir-driven guidebook Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul To Rest . This book is for anyone longing to create space in life to draw closer to God, to rest and discover who they can be when rest becomes their heart's home. Learn how a life-long dream unexpectedly launched her into a debilitating journey thorugh anxiety and painful childhood memoires to discover a better story of rest. Visit TheBonnieGray.com to learn more.
"Whitespace is soul grace. Bonnie Gray ushers weary women into the real possibility." Ann Voskamp, author of theNew York Timesbestseller One Thousand Gifts
Bonnie Gray is the soulful writer behind FaithBarista.com serving up shots of faith for the daily grind. She is a contributor at DaySpring (in)courage, her work spotighted by Christianity Today and nationally syndicated through McClatchy-Tribune News Services. After graduating from UCLA, Bonnie served as a missionary, ministry entrepreneur, and Silicon Valley high-tech professional. She lives in Northern California with her husband, Eric, and their two sons.
{Photo credit: faithbarista.com}
SHARE
