Finding Rest

You might be one of those people who has everything in their life in perfect running order.
You have your life scheduled down to the minute and it is meticulously recorded in your pocket Moleskine.
If so, then you can skip this entry.

As for me, and maybe some of you, the story is a little different.
I frequently find numerous things going in my head with never any down time to let my mind wander.
Likewise, maybe you feel like you have so many open things, that you never accomplish much.
If we let this continue for any length of time we may begin to feel we are losing track of our lives.
It can get to where even your free moments are not relaxing because your mind and spirit never have a chance to be refreshed and renewed.

If you are a list maker, are you finding that you are adding to that list faster than you are checking items off?

I think sometimes we just try to do too much. We want to accomplish so much. We want everything in its place. The only way we know to do this is to control every minute detail of our lives.
We might say that if we don't keep everything organized and under control, then we'll never be able to break out of our chaos.

So, how do we break through this mindset?

I think the solution is to give up. Stop trying to be super-human. Most of the stuff we worry about doesn't really matter and will not affect us in the long-term anyway. We would probably be better off living more for the moment. Not at the expense of making irresponsible decisions, but we should enjoy our current circumstances more than we do. There is a silver lining in all things. And I think if you approach your life with that attitude, you will see the blessings are flowing everywhere.

This is a huge step in being a follower of Jesus. And it is something that continually creeps back in. Before we know it, we realize that we have tried to take back control of all these things that we should have given over to God. Our worries, future, finances, relationships, etc. The reality is that our attempts to control these things are futile anyway.

What are we scared of? Do we think we can do a better job than God of running our lives? I think we actually do believe that sometimes. Silly, huh?


Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly. -- Matthew 11:28-30