Our last reading was about obeying God and taking the sabbath rest he intends for us. Today’s passage continues to focus on our need to rest in response to God’s provision. He has prepared it for us, so we should gratefully accept and enjoy. If we don’t, we are being disrespectful to God’s wishes. The author says that only those who believe can enter the rest. If we don’t take God up on his offer, are we saying we don’t believe?
If we say, “I don’t have time to rest,” that, too, is pretty lame. I’ve said those words myself, many times. Now as I’m reflecting on this passage, I’m feeling empowered to do better at resting. I’ve asked forgiveness for all the times of rest I’ve missed out on and set aside the feelings of guilt. Telling God we don’t have time for him is exactly what we’re doing when we fail to take his rest. Ouch – are you feeling empowered yet?
It’s hard for us to fathom God’s economy of time. He is eternal, that is always was and always will be. His measure of time is nothing we can even imagine or understand. We just need to accept it. Because he has all the time in the world, he delights in spending some of it with his children. Blessings flow from time spent with God. The refreshment and recharge we get can only set us up for success in other areas of our life. Think about it.
Are you experiencing high stress right now? Do you often wonder how you’re going to make it through another day? Do the hours of your day speed by and yet you have nothing to show for it? I have been able to answer “yes” to all of these questions at one time or another in my life, so I know.
Maybe you are hearing of God’s prescription for rest for the first time. God knows best. What if we are obedient and give him our time only to be released from our stress, showered with peace and encouragement that we will make it. Perhaps we’ll even be given more accomplishment than we could have imagined in the hours we do have. That’s God’s economy, too.
Think of tithing. When I wasn’t giving to the church, it seemed like I could never make ends meet. When I started giving, which was outside my comfort zone at first, I watched my money issues vanish. God’s economy. Today’s reflection is not about money, but about our time, which is another resource we hold on to dearly (like our money).
God wants us to spend time with him. That’s really the bottom line here. He knows what’s best for us, too. He showed us how to go full out for six days to accomplish our goals. Then he rested. When we intentionally spend time with God, not only do we feel blessed, but God is receiving what he wants. Doesn’t God deserve better from us? I think so.
Can you do a better job of spending time with God? Are you ready to take a Sabbath rest with him?
Let’s pray. Lord forgive me for all the times I’ve missed out on spending time with you. Forgive my selfish heart for thinking that what is keeping me busy is more important than you. Thank you for the reminder to be obedient to you. I trust you know what’s best for me. Help me to do a better job of shutting down all my thoughts and being open to hearing what you want to say to me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
