How was your past week at work? Were you able to remember to rest in Him even during hectic times?
I am so glad our memos over the past two weeks have centered on resting in God, as it was definitely something I needed this week, for illness caused us to be short-staffed at my workplace.
If you are an employer or manager, you will know that, ultimately, the responsibility lies with you to ensure the business continues running smoothly, calmly, and efficiently. That means you often need to step in. I found myself turning to God first thing in the morning to rest in Him to gain the energy and clarity to deal with another extra-busy day, and again in the evening to rest in Him at the end of a hectic day. I was again reminded of how God often prepares us for hectic, complicated, or stressful situations through the Bible verses we read, sermons we listen to, or discussions we have. Have you also found this to be true?
As we think about difficulties we are having or tough decisions we need to make, we can look at what the Lord says about rest and take the following steps:
1. Go to God: Remember God’s promise when we take the action step of going to Him when we are tired and overloaded: He will give us rest. Our job is to go to Him. I would like to add the recommendation of doing it sooner rather than later. To have it as the first resort: not the last resort. Matthew 11:28-29
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
2. Seek His Presence eagerly: Remember God’s promise when we take the action step to seek His Presence. He will give us rest. He tells us to “eagerly seek Him.” Our job is to schedule time, like an important meeting, to be in His Presence. God is our dwelling place, and we can find rest in His presence.
“All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the Lord gave them rest on every side.” (2 Chronicles 15:15 )
3. Learn from Him: Remember God’s promise when we take the action step to learn from Him: He will give us rest for our souls. Our job is to open our hearts and mind to learn from Him.
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)
4. Rest in Him and have peace: Remember God’s promise when we take the action step to rest in Him. He has told us we will have peace when we rest in Him. This is another blessing when we rest in Him, another gift from Him when we acknowledge His promises. And that is the opportunity to have peace during a storm. A supernatural peace that goes beyond all human understanding.
“My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” (Isaiah 32:18)
Taking This to God in Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the rest only You can provide. This coming week, as we go through our workday and are confronted with difficulty, stress, and/or challenge, please give us the wisdom to remember our first action step is to choose to be in Your presence. In that way, we can experience rest for our souls and the peace that only You can provide as we seek to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Have a wonderful week as you continue to rest in Him, as He has promised.
God Bless!
Bonny, Christian Women at Work
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