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by Dennis Wheeler
This past Sunday at worship I had several families telling me about their upcoming vacation plans...going to the beach, traveling to Ireland, taking the kids to Disney World, camping in the mountains, a 7-day cruise in the Carribbean. It all sounds like so much fun! It made me kind of jealous!!
I have found that my life is so hectic right now...like I'm going in a hundred different directions. I need a vacation...time to stop, to rest, to refresh, to refuel.
It's easy to get so busy serving God, our families, our friends, relatives, etc. - - feeling so burdened by the needs around us - - that we forget one of the first seven things God initiated on earth. After spending six days creating the world, He rested on the seventh day - and declared that we should too.
In the busyness of our lives, and yes, even on a fun family vacation, we need periods rest & reflection. So, where do we find this place of rest? Matthew 11:28 gives us a clue, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
In this passage from Matthew, the word 'rest' comes from the Greek word 'anapauo' - which means 'calm, comfort, and refreshment.' Doesn't that sound wonderful right now?
If your life is fast-paced and in constant turmoil - what a blessing to have access to rest! For us - calm, comfort, & refreshment (a place to rest) is always only a prayer away.
Praying keeps us calm, like the stillness in the eye of a storm.
Praying comforts us, reminding us of God's goodness and His availability to us.
Praying refreshes us, giving us renewed energy and strength.
Don't forget those familiar words from Isaiah...
"Those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and now grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
LORD, Thank You for the calm, comfort, and refreshment You offer. Amen!!
He serves as the Senior Pastor with southwest Virginia church... a loving church family in Abingdon.
He and his wife Sharon have been married for over 27 years and are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters, one son-in-law, and two precious grandchildren, the second arrived arrived on the scene in September 2004!!
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