Monday Motivation: Resting

Friends

For the past several years, I have been participating in the “My One Word” challenge by selecting one word to focus on for the entire year. This past January, I selected the word “rest” as my one word for 2024. It’s amazing how often I have encountered that one word in my devotions and Bible reading this year. Its regular appearance has led me to recognize something important about myself. Perhaps my reflections will strike a chord with you as well.

 

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“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”

Genesis 2:7 – NIV

 

I have a confession. I’m not good at resting. Let me say it again, I’m not good at resting. 

 

I’m good at doing. I’m good at helping. I’m good at fixing. But I’m not good at resting. 

 

I came to this realization a couple of months ago when I pulled my back out. Crippling pain forced me into my recliner. I had no choice but to rest. Even walking across the room brought tears to my eyes.

 

I may have been reclining in my comfy chair, but the truth was that I wasn’t resting. My mind was definitely not resting. No, it was swirling, the items on my mental to-do list spinning like a cyclone tearing through my brain matter. I had way too much on my agenda to be forced to stop and be still. Instead of resting my brain and body, I was stressing myself out over all that I wasn’t accomplishing.

 

I wanted to get up and get my stuff done, but I couldn’t. At the same time, I couldn’t shut my brain off, couldn’t stop the fretting over how I was going to manage it all.

 

I would like to say that’s the first time I had that issue, but that would not be true. I did this when I was working for a living, and I still do it sometimes even though I am retired. Why? Because apparently, I am not good at resting.

 

In these situations, I have three words I pull out and say to myself. Just three words. “Breathe, just breathe.”I remind myself to breathe in, letting the air flow into my lungs. I pause, holding the breath for a few counts, then let it go.

 

God placed the breath in our lungs and gave us life. 22,000 times each day, we take in that God-given life, and then we breathe it out, only to find how much we need that life-giving intake of air once again. In that split-second of recognition, we realize our neediness, and we inhale once more.

 

This process of breathing is a poignant reminder for me to realize how much I need God, every second, every minute, every hour of my life. With each breath, I breathe God in, and with each exhale, I have the opportunity to release my stressors. In that pause between breaths, I can turn my eyes to The Lord, and in that next moment, take in His peace.

 

Breathe in God’s grace. Breathe in His peace. Breathe out  and release the concerns, the worry, the anxiety that is prickling my skin. Pause. Pause and remember how much I need The Lord. Pause and enter into His rest as I breathe Him in once again.

 

In God, we find our rest. Not in the checkmarks on our to-do lists. Not in our accomplishments. Not in our serving or people pleasing. Not in our own self-sufficiency. We find our rest when we let it all go and rest in The Lord. It’s the only path to real, secure, unfettered peace.

 

Friends, are you weary and worried this morning? Are you overwhelmed or anxious? Then breathe, just breathe. Release your cares through the words of your prayers. Rest in the assurance that The Lord is with you always. He is in every moment, every breath. All we have to do is pause and remember, remember to allow space for His grace.

 

Decades ago, the beloved poet-philosopher and gifted songwriter, Jimmy Buffet, released a beautiful ballad in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. All these years later, the chorus of that song still gives me pause, for there is so much wisdom in these touching lyrics. Honestly, I think they are words we could all live by, words we could all rest in. “Don’t try to explain it, just bow your head. Breathe in. Breathe out. Move on.”*

 

Friends, I’m taking in a much needed breath this morning. How about you?

 

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“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:19 – NIV

 

PRAYER

O Good and Gracious God, may we enter into Your rest, breathing in Your Life-giving breath, and releasing all the cares that bind us. Help us let go of our need to control our days instead of resting in Your provision. Forgive us our sin of self-sufficiency, and help us trust in You for all our needs.

In the Life-giving Name of Jesus, we pray,

Amen

 

Blessings,

Anita

 

*Lyrics from the song, “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On,” by Jimmy Buffett, 2006.

 

-APS 6/10/2024