6/3/2007


Hello Friends!

For a rainy, summer morning, many of us gathered together for Julie’s lesson on rest. The lesson came from the book, Finding Rest When the Work is Never Done. With 24/7 retail stores open, current technology (cell phones, Blackberries, iPods, etc.), and kid’s activities scheduled EVERY day of the week (even throughout the summer), we find it difficult to rest. Julie calls it “addiction to achievement”. Many of us find excuses why we shouldn’t relax and take it easy. “I’ll catch up later…I don’t need as much rest as I think I do…rest is for the weak…I don’t deserve to rest until the work is done. Sound familiar? You must place resting on your agenda. God tells us, “Be still and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46:10) When we have moments of respite, we connect with God. Ever skipped Sunday School or Sunday Worship because you need to sleep in? (I’m guilty!) The Bible says, “And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy” (Genesis 2:3) This commandment was part of the covenant that God made with the Israelites. By resting on the Sabbath, God’s chosen were set apart from all other nations. As Christians, we should strive to set ourselves apart from non-Christians.

Lack of rest leads to irritability, physical ailments, poor decision making, lack of creativity, but mostly missed opportunities with God. Here’s a shocker: the suicide rate for teens has risen a whopping 300%. How many sit down dinners have you had lately with your entire family? How many hours a day do you spend with your kids? Are we losing our connection with all that we hold dear?

God wants us to “stop and smell the roses”! Enjoy His wondrous creations. Treasure the fruits of your hard work.

Next week’s lesson is titled “Key Components of Total Rest”. Until then… put your feet up, take a break, and thank God for his bountiful blessings!

~Beth