Finding Rest and Peace in the Midst of Waiting

Beautiful fruit can be produced during times of patience. And while that sounds really pretty, it can be really hard to put into action. I cannot stand waiting for things. Not only that, but I like things done in a meticulous way. It would be really nice if things would happen right when I want them to. Oh, and while you are at it, Lord, can you make sure that it benefits me too? Our culture has taught us that everything is on demand right at our fingertips. You can stream almost any show or movie, someone will bring your takeout to you. Even groceries have same day delivery. You could almost live your whole life without even leaving the house. It can make us feel like we are in control of everything. It is all planned out and nothing can go wrong, until God reminds us that we are not in control. Something happens in our life that gives us a reality check. A car accident, a pipe burst, a visit to the emergency room. All these can make us feel like we don't have it all under control. I hate feeling like I am not in complete control. The reality is when I try to control everything, I am just the kid in the pool trying to hold the beach ball under the water. Eventually it will slip out of my hands. Psalm 37:7 is a great reminder to reflect on when I start to feel myself losing control. It reads, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices.” This verse reminds us to trust in God's timing and to have patience in waiting for His plans to unfold.

The Lord commands us to lean on Him during times of struggle. The Lord also encourages us to bring all of our problems to Him too. We should be willing to give it all to Him- including our life. All the heartache, worldly pressures, sorrow, etc. need to be placed at the feet of Jesus. There is great peace and rest to be found when we give every aspect of our life over to Christ. Matthew 11:28-29 tells us, “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.” In this verse Jesus invites us to find rest in Him and to learn from Him. He promises to give us rest and to guide us through life's challenges with gentleness and humility. Powerful restorative rest is something that I in truth take for granted. God has graciously blessed us with the gift of the Holy Spirit and because of this, we have the incredible ability to seek Him and rest fully in His spirit and truth. 

I want you to close your eyes and imagine what Mary, the Apostles, bystanders, friends of Jesus must have felt after they witnessed the crucifixion. They did not yet have the gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. All they had laid out before them were the facts, Jesus had died, and all hope now seemed lost. I genuinely do not know how they got through the night that Jesus died. The unrest they must have felt was probably unbearable. Physical unrest, yes, but spiritual unrest as well. And yet, they still remained faithful. It speaks volumes about the strength of their faith in God. God had already fulfilled so many of His promises that they knew He would not quit on them now. 

Today I am thanking God for the gift of the Holy Spirit and the spiritual rest that we get to experience. I often take for granted the fact that I can bring all my failures and fears to God and find true rest. The faith that we see demonstrated throughout the Bible all while in the midst of so much uncertainty is remarkable. I pray that my faith always increases while the Lord calls me to be patient and “wait.” 

Psalm 62:5, “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.”

Lord, thank you for the rest that is found with the Holy Spirit.