Over the last week and a half we have been in Indonesia for our first debrief. This is a time set aside to process our time in Australia and what God has been doing in and around us. This is also an intentional time of rest, which I’m learning is crucial to maintaining my health.
Before the Race I found it hard to take time to rest. It was normal for me to have a full time job and a part time job at the same time. My schedule was pretty full and I would quickly wear myself down. Then I would get sick, be forced to rest, then begin the cycle again once I got better. My balance of work and rest was nonexistent. So God sent me on the Race and now here I am learning about it.
I honestly thought rest meant taking a nap or going to bed earlier than usual. Or maybe just not hanging out with people for an evening. Those things aren’t bad, in fact they can be part of resting. But God is teaching me that I need to rest in him. I’m learning to slow down, sit in silence, and allow him to meet me there. To clear out my cluttered thoughts and listen for His still small voice. Sometimes God wants to sit with me in the silence and just be together, and other times he reveals more of his character to me.
Rest can look like an afternoon of fellowship with other believers intentionally encouraging each other in our faith, a short hike through the jungle to a beautiful waterfall, or walking through a monkey forest and laughing at the crazy animals God created. It can also be taking a nap, enjoying some alone time, reading the bible, or worshipping. The goal is to commune with God and find joy and peace in him. And I can definitely say that I had never experienced as much peace, joy, or contentment as I am right now. I’m glad God is a patient teacher.
Gives a deeper meaning to PSALMS 23 and also of God resting on the 7th day in Genesis. Love seeing your deepening faith.
We can definitely get so busy in life that we don’t take the time to reflect on God. Psalm 46:10 says Be still and know that I Am God.” We are to stop and breathe. Look around to be able to see what God creates and enjoy the beauty. Sometimes we need to have a quiet time without any distractions so that we can truly hear God’s whispers.
What a fantastic lesson to learn on this incredible journey you are on! Since even God rested on the 7th day, why do we, as humans, think we don’t need to? I love that you are learning to rest in all new ways. When I was working at a camp one summer I found that I spoke with God like He was right next to me (which He was all the time but I was too busy to notice). This would happen when I was on hikes through the woods or somewhere in nature where I could quiet my mind and listen better. Thanks for sharing your insights and your amazing photographs!
Alayna,
Thanks for your update. It is interesting that rest was created long before there was sin. I understand the desire to go go go. In the desire to do, I can often forget Who He is and even think that somehow God needs me. I am reminded of Psalm 46:10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God” I also appreciated how you tied in the intentional aspect of believers being together. In Malachi 3 God says that when believers get together and talk about Him, that a book of remembrance is written. Christa and I just got back from Brazil, and were able to experience the encouragement of believers and breathtaking sights of God’s power.