“Be still, and know that I am God.”
God's alternative to frantic is rest. I know, I know . . . easier said than done! But maybe it is more easily done than we like to think. Jesus said,
- "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:29-30 ESV
- "And he said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.' For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat." Mark 6:31 ESV
Was Jesus just mouthing comforting platitudes? We know better! Our Lord both taught and modeled the importance of rest. God is so concerned about your rest that he says,
“It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”
If rest is so important, how do we find it in the midst of frantic? C.S. Lewis once quipped,
“You can’t get second things by putting them first. You get second things only by putting first things first.”
Our inability to find stability when life travels at the speed of frantic is a consequence of our unwillingness to rest. Yes, our unwillingness! Rest is clearly a "first thing," but until we give it priority status we will forever be running on empty.
"Be still and know that I am God" is both a command and an invitation. May you obey the command and welcome the invitation.
- Rest in God.
- Rest in God's Word.
- Rest in worship with God's people.
- Rest in God's presence.
- Rest in God's help.
- Rest in God's gift of sleep.
Appropriate rest is not laziness, it is wholeheartedly embracing the invitation of God. Rest is obedience. Rest is trust. Rest is refreshment. Rest is God's antidote to frantic.
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Notes:
- "You can't get second things ..." from C.S. Lewis, God In The Dock.