It’s Crazy Right Now But Here Is How To Find REST
Everybody knows we are in a crazy season. It feels upside-down, like a big question mark. The winds of controversy and quarantine are blowing simultaneously.
How can a person walk in REST at a time like this?
I love the story of Noah and the Ark. (By the way, the name “Noah” means “rest.”).
He and his family were inside this huge boat, going quietly about their work, while the world outside was totally CRAZY. When the Ark landed, they were in a new world!
That’s “kingdom rest.”
Here are three ways to experience that rest…right here in 2020:
“Walk in the Holy Spirit.”
We have a greater power “inside” than everything happening on the “outside.” That inner power is the Person of the Holy Spirit.
Israel followed a supernatural cloud in the desert. Day by day, month by month, it led them from one place of “rest” to another.
That cloud symbolized the Holy Spirit. He was leading, guiding, and shading them everywhere they went (even in the hottest desert).
When you know Christ, the Spirit lives within you. He gives you a constant sense of rest, calm, and security when the winds of chaos are blowing violently outside.
“Cast your cares on the Lord.”
“Casting the whole of your care, all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all on Him. For he cares for you affectionately and He cares about you watchfully.” (1 Pet. 5:7, Amplified)
CARE means “anxiety, worry, mental distress, pressure, fretful apprehension, or whatever keeps you awake!”
Care focuses on the dreaded outcome. WORRY IS THE DOWN PAYMENT ON SOMETHING THAT MIGHT NOT HAPPEN.
“Casting your care,” in Greek, means “to fling something violently with force.” You don’t try to carry it on your shoulders. You “fling it” with all your might like a discus thrower!
You let Him carry “the whole of your care…once and for all.”
Walk in love
“LOVE BRINGS REST.” Strife brings ANXIETY.
Strife comes from unforgiveness, bitterness, competition, and ambition.
Consider Mary and Martha. Martha had no “kingdom rest.” She was full of strife and mad at everyone. She stayed upset. She tried to control every circumstance.
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion (REST) which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10: 41-42)
Mary, on the other hand, stayed in kingdom love and rest. She chose to walk in love rather than strife. She sat quietly at the feet of Christ.
Be sure you have forgiven everyone. Be sure you are not being motivated by fear. Be sure you are not jealous of someone or ambitious to be exalted. STAY IN REST. Walk in love and stay in your rest.
All of us feel the chaos. Choose “rest.” Choose to stay inside the Ark of safety.
“Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”—Jesus