Here’s the truth: I’ve been sitting here for almost an hour trying to write ONE blog post. Sometimes I do spend that much time on a post, but usually I have something to show for it. Right now, I’ve got nothing. I’m drained and empty… but not in the down and out sort of way. I feel as though I’m letting go of a bunch of junk in order to get filled up with something better.

I am being drained for good.

I just googled “What is it called when you drain a swimming pool and then refill it?”

Guess what? It’s called: DRAINING AND REFILLING and thanks to many of the search results I now know that pool water and the chemicals within can go bad after a few years. The pool needs to be emptied of the old water and refilled with new, setting all the chemical levels again. If you simply continue to treat the old water you will never achieve the pure balance that fresh water can give.

God is draining me this summer, and He’s insisting that HE be the one to do it, not me. Ordinarily I would rush in and take over, wanting to do the work. Gently but firmly He is telling me to sit down and let Him drain and refill. He wants me to rest.

He wants US ALL to rest.

Somehow over the past few years I taught myself that resting looks like trying harder to pray, read, and listen. Resting was a lot of work. Those elements can certainly BE restful, but not when they live on my to-do list and prompt condemnation in my heart. Here’s how Dictionary.com defines REST.

rest

¹ verb

• to refresh oneself, as by sleeping, lying down, or relaxing.
• to relieve weariness by cessation of exertion or labor
• to be at ease; have tranquillity or peace
• to repose in death.
• to be quiet or still.

So why should we rest?

1. Resting demonstrates an obedient heart. (God told us to do it!)

“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (Mark 6:31)

 

2. Resting demontrates trust that HE will finish the work He has started in us.

“The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me, your love, O LORD, endures forever – do not abandon the works of your hands.”  (Psalm 138:8)

“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.”  (Isaiah 30:15)

 

“Be still – The word used here – from רפה râphâh – means properly to cast down; to let fall; to let hang down; then, to be relaxed, slackened, especially the hands: It is also employed in the sense of not making an effort; not putting forth exertion; and then would express the idea of leaving matters with God, or of being without anxiety about the issue…” From Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

 

Resting leaves the work to Him.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

 

Following,

Ginger