Pastor William's October 2023 Newsletter Note on Rest
As I write this, Sheila and I are preparing to go on a vacation with my parents. We will be cruising through the Atlantic Ocean for a few days. It will be a week full of beautiful landscapes, delicious food, great entertainment, and lots of fun! I’ll probably spend a lot of time around the arcade (there’s still a part of my that’s a little boy!) and on the deck watching the waves. And of course, I am grateful to be doing it all with my family.
But honestly, one of the things I’m looking forward to most is spending time sitting, staring, and doing nothing. That sounds a little funny to say, but nowadays things are so busy. Between our household needs and matters of the church, there is not too much time for the mind to rest. Or at least that seems to be the case. So, to be able to just mindlessly watch the water and enjoy the breeze…maybe even take a nap! YES PLEASE.
But you will notice there, I said it SEEMS there’s not too much time to rest. Maybe there is more time than I realize. Sometimes I think things are more urgent than they are. Or I’m physically needed somewhere more than I actually am. Or my insights are more critical to a decision then they really might be. Sometimes rest alludes me because I allow it to, not because it must. Do you ever struggle with that too? Do you ever give that advice to others, but your life doesn’t reflect it like it should? I know I do.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Often our lack of rest comes from tasks, but more often it comes from a mindset. A mindset which says “I have to do this task now for these reasons….” And those reasons go on and on. Jesus says he’s going to give us rest, and do you know how? By changing out mindset and remind us that he is in control, we should do the best we can in all areas, including rest, and he will handle what we physically cannot. That the only thing critical in this life is Him. And if we will come to him, he will teach us to stop depending on ourselves, and start depending on Him and Him alone.
So, while I’m on the waves, I’ll be thinking about that trust, asking the Lord to drill it into my heart. And I encourage you do the same for yourself as well, and get some rest too! Then, take some time to join us at the events and ministries in this newsletter. And let us move forward together as a family, depending on God and not on ourselves.
If you need me, I’ll be on the high seas,
William