December 30, 2011
I Need Rest!
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place” (Mark 6:30-32, NIV).
Friend to Friend
I spin plates. Not real plates. Metaphorical plates. I spin lots of plates at the same time and I multi-task. This is both a blessing and a curse in my life. Sometimes my attention is divided in too many directions, leaving me harried … while at other times, I’m energized by the amount of things I can get done in a small window of time. Regardless, there just never seems to be enough hours in the day to get things done or enough hours in the night to give me complete rest.
Being a plate-spinning mom is a challenge. When my kids want me, they don’t like to wait for me to spin three more plates before I answer them or give them my attention. When my daughter Kennedy was a toddler, she figured out a way to stop me mid-task, no matter what I was doing. She would place her chubby little hands on my cheeks, look me in the eye, and demand my full attention. Then she would deliver her message or question to me. I became her captive audience.
Just like Kennedy used to seek my attention, the Spirit of the Lord often speaks a similar message to my heart: “Don’t forget about me, Gwen! I know you have a lot going on, but your attention should be mine. I love you. Come sit with me a while.”
Life is busy. Each day we have activities, tasks and distractions that vie for our time and attention. If we aren’t careful and deliberate, our relationship with God can suffer as a result. The Lord doesn’t want to be an after-thought and He doesn’t want to be penciled in to our schedules. He wants us to prioritize Him. Focus our hearts on Him. Worship Him. Be with Him. Rest in Him.
What are your priorities? Where does God fit into your schedule? How vital is it to you that you spend one-on-one time with God each day? Are you experiencing the supernatural rest that’s found in His presence?
In Mark 6:30-32, we learn that Jesus and His apostles had been busy working for their heavenly Father. In fact, they had worked with such vigor that they hadn’t even gotten a decent meal in their belly. (Boy, do I know what that’s like!) In response, Jesus invited them to get away with Him so they could find some rest and rejuvenation in His presence. He said, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31, NIV). That same invitation is extended to you and me.
God wants you to pause the plate spinning and be His captive audience in this very moment. He wants you to go with Him to a quiet place: to be still, to gaze into His eyes, to worship Him in Spirit and in truth, to be lost in His glory, and found by His grace - to find rest.
I’d like you to imagine His strong yet gentle hands reaching for your cheeks, lifting your chin, and drawing your eyes to His. Fix your gaze on His beautiful, blazing, mercy-filled eyes. Give the Lord your full attention. He will be your rest.
Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father, please forgive me for all of the times I fail to give You my attention. I shake my head at the very thought that You want to lock gazes with someone like me, yet Scripture clearly tells me that You desire to be sought after and found by me. I’m here. You have my full attention, please speak to my heart and help me to be Your captive audience throughout today and every day.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
· I co-wrote a song called “Sacred Place” that is purposed to lead you to His presence. Please take a moment to listen to “Sacred Place” and personally respond to Him. CLICK HEREto listen to the song on my Facebook page.
- Find a solitary place, grab your Bible and read Psalm 103.
- Write down your favorite verses from that chapter and journal about what they teach you.
More from the Girlfriends
Do you know that rest, the rest that comes from the heart of God and permeates every fiber of who you are…no matter what you are facing? God desires for you to know His rest, for you to experience the fullness of His love and His peace. If your soul is in turmoil, lift your gaze to the Father. Seek His heart. He will meet you at your need and sustain you one day at a time. Spend some sacred quiet time with Him today.
Gwen’s song “Sacred Place” is featured on her live worship CD, Unsearchable, which is available on iTunes, Amazonand on Gwen’s website.
Portions of today’s devotion are found in Gwen’s book, Broken Into Beautiful. God delights to transform lives...even yours! Experience how the unconditional love of Jesus can change your life and then stand back and watch the wonder of grace at work.
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Girlfriends in God
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Originally published Friday, 30 December 2011.
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