How freeing it is to comprehend that rest is within you.

At the beginning of this summer when I was asking God about how to steward the summer well I felt Him invite me to treat the whole summer like vacation. I knew that He didn’t mean to kick my feet up and not do anything, because let’s face it, moms don’t really get to do that on vacation anyway. ;) But it felt more like an invitation into an inner posture. So I prayed about it and asked Him for more insight.

 

One evening in early June my family and I were driving to run errands and grab some dinner while we were out. On the drive to town I was admiring the beautiful summer sky, full of gratitude that the four of us were enjoying a simple evening together, then I had this unexpected feeling like we were headed to the beach. It really felt like we were leaving on vacation. Immediately I knew this was a glimpse into what He meant.

 

The next day, He asked me what it is that I look forward to about vacations. I love slow mornings with coffee and a good book, spending the whole day with my family together, adventuring and seeing new things, taking naps, visiting friends, taking deep breaths and enjoying Creation wherever we are, and throwing off the expectations of the world for a while. What I really long for in vacation is REST. Once I mentally listed out those things I heard Holy Spirit whisper, “you can have all of that right where you are if you have eyes to see it.”

 

How freeing it is to comprehend that rest is within you.

 

The only reason that I can choose to stop chasing the world’s definition of rest and instead live from a place of rest is because I have the Prince of Peace living in and through me. This summer I’ve found rest in simple things like slow mornings standing in front of my coffee maker taking the time to smell my coffee as it brews, in throwing off the world’s expectations by refusing to hustle and instead choosing to rest in God’s timing, in taking every available opportunity to spend time with family and friends, and in doing the work that sets my heart on fire. Trips are nice and I love them, but I’m so grateful for how God is teaching me to find rest in simple things and come alive to the Person of Rest who lives in and through me.

 

“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis.  Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.” Matt. 11:28-30 TPT

 

The world gives us two options: cup half empty or cup half full. The world praises those who strain after the latter and pities those who choose the former.

However, in the Kingdom of Heaven (on earth) our reality is a cup overflowing.

When God speaks He brings an alternative that wasn’t there until the moment it was revealed. The ability for us to live and rest in the Kingdom reality all hinges on us knowing who God is and who we are in Him.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed and refreshed my head with oil; My cup overflows.” Psalm 23:5 AMP 

God’s Kingdom is within us if we are born again.

“God’s kingdom realm does not come simply by obeying principles or by waiting for signs. The kingdom is not discovered in one place or another, for God’s kingdom realm is already expanding within some of you.” Luke 17:20-21.

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of rules about food and drink, but is in the realm of the Holy Spirit, filled with righteousness, peace, and joy.” Romans 14:17

For those who are in the Kingdom we don’t need to strive after or work for rest, we get to receive it and live from it. For us rest isn’t sleeping, tv watching, or self care (though it can include those things). Kingdom rest looks like the presence of the Holy Spirit and righteousness, peace, and joy in everything we do and everything that we are. #JennaWrites

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