Today’s story is a little different from those that I usually write. Different in that I felt in my spirit a word from the Lord this morning.
Kind of goes this way. I got up around 5:30am. Made a pot of coffee to get my day started. Had a cup and got on the treadmill. I don’t run much anymore but do try to get in about 5 miles every day. So far so good. Nothing stirring.
When I’m done there, it’s into the garage for some weight training. Not trying to be the next Mr. America. Just training for life. It was during this time that the Lord began to stir something within me. I felt His presence. So, I stopped. That’s what one does in the presence of God. He stops. He waits. He listens.
Hear what the Lord said to me this morning. He said, “Good morning, son. Look at you. All made in my image. I see your every struggle.” I thought well Lord, I am working out. “I just want you to know that I am with you through it all,” He says. “Today, I want you to rest in Me.”
Many are the struggles, trials and temptations of life. Occasionally, we need a rest day. Not a vacation as in my experience, taking a vacation means you need a day off to rest…from your vacation. Resting in the Lord means to take the time to recover from the demands of life to find peace with Him. The Bible tells us that, “…truly our rest comes from God…” for that’s where our salvation comes from.
I want to pass this blessing along to you, my friend. Take a rest day. Some call it a mental health day. Call it whatever you want but take a day this weekend to recover. If it needs doing, do it. If it can wait, it’ll be there tomorrow.
Just do your thing, whatever your thing is. One day of no worry, no stress, no talking on the phone, (If they need you, text). Do something for you. Trip to Target, catch up on your Bible reading, press your clothes for church on Sunday, 🤔 wash the car, watch TV…no bill paying, no balancing the checkbook, leave work at work, no disagreeing with the spouse…just a day to revisit some things in your life…see if there’s anything that you can do differently. Or, better.
Lying down in green pastures, walking along beside still water are things that restore the soul, the focus on the spiritual things of life. Rest restores our focus on God.
The Lord wants us to take a day off and I’m good with it!
Wouldn’t that be a blessing?
-Pastor Butc