What does it mean to “rest in God?” Do you know? Are you sure? Do you even know what it means to “rest,” in general?
My guess, is that most of us are a bit confused when it comes to rest. We have mixed up notions of rest, in general, and this leads to some odd ideas about what it means to “rest in God.” Some of us confuse rest with distraction. We think two hours watching Netflix is restful. Or, we “rest” at the end of our day by scrolling social media for, what was originally meant to be a 5 minute check in, that turns into a 45 minute veg-out. Others of us think rest is about physical exertion (or lack thereof). We think rest is mere hours slept. We over simplify rest and reduce it to the maxim: “me doing nothing.” Or, we think rest is a caloric equation, the fewer calories spent, the more restful. Further still, there are those of us that think “rest” is the absence of stress or strife. By this definition, rest is something like a utopian state where all wrongs have been righted and every injustice overcome.
But, if all of this is “rest,” then it is little wonder why so many of us are so tired.
Psalm 62 draws our attention to what it means to “rest in God.” Resting in God is about trust. Trusting God in the middle of a world that is unpredictable, unforgiving, and unjust. Resting in God is trusting in God—seeking and desiring his presence, even during times of strenuous physical activity or hectic schedules, and in the midst of difficulty, not only its absence. Perhaps the reason so many of us are so tired (and, lets be honest, cranky) is because we don’t trust and therefore don’t rest. What the world needs—what you and I need—is not more distraction, not more down time, and not more community resource initiatives, but rather, more trust.
Father, help us rest during the week ahead. Help us seek You and find You, even as we are found by You. May we find rest in You this week—not in distraction, not in a malaise of slothfulness, or even in our strenuous efforts to make the world a better place. Yes God, help us find rest in You. Help us TRUST.
Lord we believe, help our unbelief. Amen.
- Chaz Holsomback