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When God puts a word on my heart two days in a row, I think maybe He’s trying to tell me something. Yesterday rest was about laying the burdens down but today? Today rest is about action. It’s not about being lazy, procrastinating or hiding. Resting in Jesus? It takes some serious work.
Laying things down.
Lifting in prayer.
Kneeling in surrender.
When the world talks about rest they envision people taking vacations, sleeping in, and lounging. When I think of rest, I think of purpose, being filled, and sorting. Determining what stays and what goes. Finding rest in knowing that these responsibilities and activities, joys and burdens, they’re not ours to carry alone. It’s giving the other side of the heavy load to Someone far stronger.
Rest.
Be filled by the Holy Spirit.
Seek God in prayer.
Resting is not weakness, my friend. Christ took time away to focus on his Father’s voice and why shouldn’t we do the same? Actively seeking God’s voice in the quiet of rest is the cry of my heart. I don’t want to be lazy. I can’t run away from taking care of my toddler or my home, my husband or my jobs. But I can rest. I can unplug from my own voice, my own words and plug in to THE Word to be filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit because THAT is what God promises to us.
Want to join or just want to know what Five Minute Friday is all about? Head over to Lisa Jo’s blog and find out 🙂 And while you’re there, be sure to visit & leave some comment love (no lurking!) for the other bloggers who linked up!
Amen and amen! My break is next week and it takes an effort to lay down those things that I can and run to Him — find rest in Him.
I love what amazing things God is doing in your heart and life. Love you 🙂
So glad your comments migrated so I could read this! I did have a very actively restful weekend. I owe you a hands raised AMEN! 🙂
Thanks dearie. We got a bit of time to slow down, but only a very little bit. We’re about to make the big move and we’ve got 3 1/2 weeks to get it all figured out and get moved. Plus the husband has a lot of traveling for work to do in the next couple of weeks. He left this morning and won’t be back until Wednesday and then he’ll be gone all day Friday. Feeling a bit like a single mom…which is sad because my husband is an incredible husband and dad. Glad that our life is about to radically change in this department. I just need patience and grace to get it all done. Prayers are much appreciated.
so glad you stopped by Kelly!
I love knowing that if I ever write in a post “can I get an amen”…YOU will be the one to shout it in the comments 🙂
How is this working out for you? Praying this weekend gave you the chance to slow down and lean into Jesus.
{hugs} … you are always such an encouragement!
thank you so much! what a sweet comment 🙂
Mia, I’m so glad you stopped by 🙂
Amen!
this was a good word this week! i love when a couple hundred writers can come up with such different perspectives 🙂
thank you Nikki!
amen girl – i’m all or nothing, all the time. i’m a work in progress on this one, for sure!
praying sweet rest over you this week girl – you work so hard, and give so much. take a moment and refill 🙂
Oh, yes!! Laying things down, lifting in prayer, kneeling in surrender… such rest is found in these actions! Thank you for sharing (yesterday and today)
Hey! Just stopping by from FMF! Loved your post!
I love this!! I think there is an active attribute to rest as well, it’s a choice and sometimes a hard one!
I never thought of rest as an action word. New concept for me to think about. great writing.
I immediately thought of you when I saw the prompt, knowing what you had written yesterday. I agree, there’s something there for you! This was so good. Now I need to take these words to heart and do my own active resting!! Thank you! Preach!
Rest has been a theme these last couple of days for me too! Heidi and I themed the inmotherhood chats around the word and then the prompt was so amazing. I think God is trying to tell us something, lol. Hoping that rest finds all three of us right where we are.
“I can’t run away from taking care of my toddler or my home, my husband or my jobs. But I can rest. I can unplug from my own voice, my own words and plug in to THE Word to be filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit because THAT is what God promises to us.”
Superb!!
Yes, resting is NOT weakness. Unplugging is a very good thing. Thank you for the reminder, Crystal!
Sometimes rest is action and I am learning that more and more, Thank you for the reminder,
yikes. thats me in the last paragraph. trying to run and escape the overwhelming overwhelmingness. REST. unplug. plug into the Word. Seek God in prayer. righteous.
Crystal…I’m in love with your perspective! Thank you so much for spilling words on a page in such grace as this. Behind you over at Lisa-Jo’s and woke to read you and I’m thankful. Ever-thankful.
Excellent post. Loved the use of rest as action. Followed you from Five Minute Friday. Have a blessed day!
coming over from FMF.
Thank you–Rest, be filled, pray. Those are the words I needed to hear!
Be Blessed.
Dear Crystal
Yes, resting in Him is an inward, spiritual thing. Even when the storms around us seem to sweep away the last bit of peace we hold on to, we can just look up to our Lord Jesus, take His hand and rest in Him! My forst visit to your place from FMF.
Much love XX
Mia
It’s amazing what we can do through Him! Apart from Him…nada! Beautiful post and reminder!
Plugging into the Word and knowing other women are doing the same is such an encouragement! Fun to see my Twitter/FMF/God Sized Dream team friends link up! “Press on sisters. Keep the faith. Do what you do, be who you are, walk in that sometimes blind, always beautiful obedience. Yes, you really are making a difference” –Quote from Holley Gerth
No, resting is not a weakness, but a God-given gift! 🙂
Good stuff! Love all these different thoughts on the same word.
Beautiful! You explained rest in such a perfect way. I think we feel at rest when we are centered upon God — my post follows up your action. Even in action I was frustrated — even had to learn to lay that down! Blessings.
“Finding rest in knowing that these responsibilities and activities, joys and burdens, they’re not ours to carry alone. It’s giving the other side of the heavy load to Someone far stronger.”
I like that statement. My idea of rest is to literally stop spinning for a while, breath, and have that peace and confidence that Someone is taking care of everything for me. A rare moment but that’s what I need right now. Rest.
Yes! resting with purpose. almost in anticipation… it takes practice. but worth it.
great write! {HUGS}
Good thoughts. May we be reminded of the important work and practice – of resting in Him. It may cause us to break a sweat…but it’s so very worth each drop. 🙂
Active resting has never been my strong point. Give me laziness or full tilt action but leaning into His rest? I’m right there with you, learning to do it well.
Love this, and it is so true that resting in Him takes work, but it’s the most satisfying work, isn’t it?
http://musingsofmrsmount.blogspot.com
yes, resting in Him-that takes work. And I read the previous post. A balm to my weary, worn body and soul. Thank you. Good night, sweet sister.
Chelle