Let’s Choose Rest
Psalm 91:1, NLT
I long to sit quietly at His feet and listen to His heart.
But most days, I am running around like Raggedy Ann with a million things to do.
I miss Him when I wake up late and rush off to work in the morning.
I forget He is close by as I work through my lunch hour to finish one more project.
I fail to notice Him as I unload the dishwasher after dinner for the hundredth time.
I ignore Him as I plop down exhausted on the couch in a comatose state and reach for the remote.
The truth is that I am scared of the quiet. I am frightened of what He might say. I fear slowing down.
I live in lack because I refuse to surrender the reigns to the One who holds the keys to abundant life and peace.
Yet, He speaks so tenderly to me.
My child, draw close to My heart and find rest.
I’m tired of running ragged. I want to be still and know that He is God.
I want to press in to know Him and spend my time investing in moments that have eternal significance.
I choose rest.
- I will linger long and be fully present for my loved ones.
- I will treat my body with tender care.
- I will set aside time to remember God’s goodness.
- I will cultivate a heart of gratitude.
May I purpose to choose His rest, rather than feeling frazzled and fatigued.
Rather than live a weary life, I want to worship.
Rather than being overworked, I want to be overwhelmed by His presence.
I choose rest.
Let’s Talk: How do you choose rest?
Join me in 2016 and #ChooseRest.
++
It’s always nice to rest in His presence.
Lyli, what a wonderful acrostic! All 4 components will lead us to the rest we can only find in Him. Have a great Tuesday!
Lyli,
Yes to rest instead of running ragged…and I can relate to what you wrote. For me, I need to get to bed earlier…and I need God’s grace to quiet before Him by surrendering all I want, desire and think I need to Him…praying God gives you sweet rest in His presence this week, my friend 🙂
I hear you, friend. I felt rather guilty when I hit publish on this post at 1 AM. As I headed to bed, I thought “Choose Rest…. starting tomorrow!” 🙂 — I am a night owl at heart, and this is one area that I need to work on big time.
As much as I know, know, know that it’s good to choose rest, I still feel guilty at times when I choose it. 🙁 Trying to take your words to heart and just enjoy the blessing of rest when God hands it to me on a silver platter! Thanks, Lyli. I’m listening.
you’ve just lent me my new screensaver, Lyli.
i sigh deep as I flip the laptop open. what a vision to catch before I do the online thing.
thanks, friend …
As I read your post the other day about “not having a word” for 2016, I thought: “Linda is going to love my word.” — Love you, friend.
Visiting from 3 Word Wednesday and loving it! Beautiful post and one I needed to hear!
Thanks for stopping by, Joyce
We’re definitely on the same page, friend.
Love you!
I’m with you, Lyli. Frazzled and ragged is no way to live. It’s a conscious choice for me, but I’m trying to be more purposeful about choosing rest and stillness too. So, I’m in!
I love this! God has really been working on me in this area as well, so I really appreciate this post! I love the acrostic, too!
Hi Lyli, Beautiful post! I always longed to choose rest, however struggled to manage it. I would do well for a bit and then get swept away. Recently I’ve been ill and it forced me to rest. God does want rest for us and will eventually get us to do it – one way or another! Hopefully we can grow to choose it rather than being forced into it!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
I think of rest with a sigh of gratitude. I’m at a point in my life where I am so thankful and blessed for all God has given me and the opportunity to be the wife and mom He wants me to be.
I hope you can stop by:
http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2016/01/songs-on-sunday-that-was-then-this-is.html
Colletta
Lyli, This post spoke write to my heart! It was as if you had a glimpse into my life and ultimate desires. Thank you for putting both into words, where I could plainly see the antidote for my striving.
It was such a blessing to read this post today.
Blessings to you.
I love your bullet points under I Choose Rest! I pray, too, that I will remember to choose rest and to be fully present throughout my day. I want to have longer periods of prayer and I end up keeping myself too busy. Sometimes it’s with mindless things, but I’m glad God gives us grace and we can always start again… Blessings to you Lyli!
Lyli – I absolutely love this post – so, so good! and your picture at the top – perfect! I want this too: May I purpose to choose His rest, rather than feeling frazzled and fatigued. Blessings, linking up from #GiveMeGrace today and looking forward to seeing you on Thursday!
Lyli, enjoyed your post so much, especially because I am in the middle of this all-important lesson, myself. Last year, my OneWord was “wait”, which requires so much of what you write about here. Visiting from #FaithFilledFriday today where we are neighbors.
Rest… ah what a sacred space of waiting for Him to fill me up. That has been my start in the mornings and when I miss it, when I don’t get up and get rest first in Him, then the days don’t go quite as I’d like. Even when I do and the days go off-kilter, His loving presence always reminds me of the place we belong in Him. Sometimes it takes me a while to get back there, but it is such a blessing when I do.
Praying for the rest times for you, Lyli!
Love,
Dawn