...simply rest.

…simply rest

angie tipton

actnow ministries

6.30.2012

It’s been unseasonably hot here in Arkansas for the past few weeks, actually shattering records for high temps for the month of June.  That hasn’t stopped me from riding my bike.  But, what I observed about myself is that as I was out and about on my rides (20-27 miles), I found that I was getting extremely stressed on the big hills that we have here and the heat was compounding that stress.

One day as I was in the midst of a huge hill at the end of my ride, I felt the Lord impress upon me to “simply rest.”  I knew that I had the willpower to make it up the hill, but I was making it much harder than it had to be because of the way I was approaching it.  In analyzing myself in this moment, I wasn’t breathing properly.  I was gripping the handle bars as if I were dangling from a cliff, hanging on for dear life.  And, as I would occasionally glance at my destination, the hill seemed to grow bigger and bigger as my pace continued to slow down…not a good thing!

I then made the decision to “simply rest.”  In doing so, that meant to breath properly, relax and stop gripping the handlebars so tightly, and quit looking at my destination.  Those were the things I did physically to change.  I had to make a conscience effort to “rest” in what I knew.  I knew that I had the physical capability to make it up the hill as I’ve done it more times than I could count because if I want to make it home, this is THE only way to get there…there are no short cuts!

One of the most important decisions in simply resting, was my mindset.  I had adjusted myself physically, then I told myself, “You’ve done this plenty of times…rest in the abilities that you know you already have.”  At that point, the ride went much better.  I had been wasting precious energy before…actually spending more energy to get up the hill than was necessary.

I find that this scenario parallels our walk with the Lord.  Do you ever find yourself stressing in your walk with the Lord?  It doesn’t have to be that way!  All we need to do is simply rest.  Rest in what Jesus did for us on the cross.  When He died on the cross, He said, “It is finished!” (John 19:30) He didn’t say that just because his physical earthly life expired.  He said it because He had taken on every sin for every person who has ever been…made a way for every person to be healed and delivered…and made a way for every need that every person who has ever been might ever need.  Yes, it’s true…SO true!  The problem is that we, all too often, don’t tap into what Jesus did on the cross for us.  Once we come to the realization of ALL He did for us on the cross, it makes it easy for us to “simply rest.”  When we’re faced with circumstances that seem so great that we cannot make it, because of what He did on the cross for us, we can rest in Him, knowing that He already has it all worked out.

Now, I’m not implying that we don’t have a role to play in this.  We must do what we can do and then God will do what we cannot do.  He will not do our part of our situation and we cannot do His part.  So, we definitely have a responsibility in whatever our circumstances are no matter how simple or difficult they are.  Simply resting in our part of it will make it much easier.  It will take the stress, anxiety and foreboding out of the task at hand. 

God loves us SO much that I believe sometimes it’s difficult to comprehend!  Do you know how much God loves you? (John 3:16)  Oftentimes, I pray for those around me, including myself, that the strongholds that are keeping us from knowing this truth…His love, will be torn down and that God will open our eyes and ears so that we are capable of seeing and hearing just how much He loves us.  God is not some bully sitting in Heaven just waiting for us to make a mistake so that He can beat us over the head with a baseball bat…NO!  On the contrary…He already knows every mistake we  have made or will ever make…and yes, even knowing that, He still loves us with an everlasting love…TOTALLY AMAZING!!

Now, just because we have accepted Jesus as our Savior doesn’t mean that life is going to be easy. (Acts 14:22) In fact, at times, life is quite challenging as a Believer.  But, if we see this gig through to the end, no matter how difficult, we will make it home…“Home” being Heaven.  With that in mind, there is only one way to the Father in Heaven and that is through Jesus Christ.  He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6)  And, just as in my bike ride to get to my home, there is only one way…no shortcuts!  It’s the same to get to Heaven…only One Way…no shortcuts!  Don’t accept ANY imitation!

So, when life gets tough, remember to simply rest in what God accomplished for us on the cross.  Remember that He is not surprised by anything that we’ve done or anything that has happened to us.  He already knows.it.ALL!  He has already made a way for every situation…yes, every situation in our lives. (1 John 3:19-20)  Be adamant about remembering that He knows everything there is to know about you and how so very much He loves you so that you can...simply rest…the way God intended when He gave up His life (John 10:18) on the cross for us…simply rest.  

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.    Philippians 4:6-8

I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry.  He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock,
and established my steps.  He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God;
many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.         Psalm 40:1-3

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.      Isaiah 40:31