Chapter 5 ~ I Will Give You Rest

Weariness...

What a heavy word...

And yet, I have not met one human being who hasn't experienced it. Some physical. Some emotional. Then there are those who have experienced it spiritually. God's answers or the lack of them have made them weary.

"We work hard Money to be made. Degrees to be earned. Ladders to climbed. In our book busyness is next to godliness.. We idolize Thomas Edison, who claimed he could live on 15 minute naps. Somehow we forget to mention Albert Einstein, who averaged 11 hours of sleep a night. In 1910 Americans slept 9 hours a night; today we sleep seven and we are proud of it. And we are tired because of it. Our minds are tired. Our bodies are tired. But much more important, our souls are tired." (pg 39)

Wow Max! Those are pretty steep words!

And yet each day, each week we listen to leaders, bosses, preacher, parents, teachers who tell us to "live up to our potential" and so we try. We plan out our days and cut short our nights and before we know it. Things are done, and so are we.

I have lived through a season of extreme sleep deprivation. I could pray with inmates and cancer patients by day and answer the call for fearful souls and dead bodies at night. All while teaching at least once a week and playing with the kids. The result was not pretty. Nor was my attitude.

I understand there are times when rest is sparce and work is plentiful. I am not without compassion. I only know, I am not built for insomonia.

Now to the phrase which hits close to the heart (my heart if not yourrs)... "Unfortunately sheep cannot find safe pasture. They need help. The need a shepherd. Without a shepherd, they can't rest." (pg 39-40)

Don't you agree? We need help? We need a shepherd (Savior)?

"If creation didn't crash when I rested (Max quoting God), it won't crash when you do. ...Repeat these words after me: It is not my job to run the world." (pg 42)

"With his own pierced hands, Jesus created a pasture for the soul...And he invites you to rest there." (pg 43)

Will you? I struggle with resting. I want to let the Shepherd "lead me". How about you?

Share your thoughts...