Gratitude Series Episode 21

Hello, my walking friend! Are you on your way? Are your arms and legs moving in a good rhythm? Are you ready to spend some fruitful time with Jesus, giving your mind a rest from earthly cares? I hope so!

Today is the 21st episode in the gratitude series. In each podcast during this series we will take some time to focus on thanking Jesus for something specific and we will have two different verses to contemplate. Today we will be thanking Jesus for rest.

Our first verse to meditate on is Mark 2:27 :

Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

In the last podcast episode, we took a little time to contemplate God’s perspective on work and to thank him for it. Today we look at the other side of that equation – rest.
Sometimes I have to laugh at myself – on the one hand, I find it hard to look at work as a blessing and something to thank Jesus for, and on the other hand, I can never seem to stop doing it! What about you? What a paradox! If work can seem so distasteful sometimes, then why is rest so hard? I hope I am not alone in this struggle. Is there one walking friend out there who is giving this sister an “Amen!”? I hope so!

Well, our all-knowing savior understands this about us. He understands our struggle to stop – to stop working, to stop striving, to stop worrying. There just always seems to be so much to do! Work to pay the bills. Household chores to keep things clean. Material things that need to be maintained – like cars. And don’t get me started about the paperwork piling up everywhere! If I pause to rest, what will happen? Will bills get paid? Will my house turn into a pig pen? Will I wind up on an episode of Hoarders? Okay, we’ll save that for another episode.
Yes, I think it is fear that drives us to burn the candle at both ends – until we are completely burned out. This is not God’s will for us. Did you notice that God did not have a commandment that says, Thou shalt work until thou is burnst out? No! But he did include the commandment, Thou shall keep the Sabbath. Interesting…

And, the creator of the universe, who has infinite energy and resources, rested after 6 days of work. He obviously didn’t do it because he needed to but because he wanted to set for us an example of holy living. Yes, holy living. Jesus knows that we need rest to be restored – body, mind, soul. Without rest we are so susceptible! Without taking the time to draw near to Jesus, we weaken our faith. Have you noticed that when you overdo it and don’t take time in life to pause and sit with Jesus that you are more prone to make bad decisions? To act badly? Maybe even to engage in sinful behavior? Yikes! No wonder God put it in the big 10!

I know that hitting the pause button on life to be with Jesus can be a scary thing. Something might not get done. Someone might feel let down. You might even feel guilty for taking this 10 minute walk with Jesus. My friend, I understand. I struggle with these feelings, too. But, truly, what could be more important than taking a short Sabbath during our busy day to be with Jesus? Listen to our second verse for today, Psalm 95:2:

Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

Even though our bodies might be moving, this is still a time of rest IF we are putting our focus on Jesus. So let’s do as Psalm 95:2 tells us and give him thanks and praise. Take some time now to meditate on today’s verses and to thank Jesus for rest.

You are now at the halfway point of your walk. If you need to be back in 10 minutes, this would be the time to turn around and head back.

The second half of our walk is an opportunity for reflection, meditation, and prayer. For many of us, myself included, this might feel challenging. But the spiritual rewards of developing this discipline are great and so is the power of the Holy Spirit to help us. So let’s start with some questions to guide you followed by a short interlude for reflection.

What does rest look like to you and in your life? Do you think this is the kind of rest Jesus wants for you? Consider your answer now.

Have you ever had a season where you were burning the candle at both ends? Maybe you are in that season now. How do you think this affects your relationship with Jesus? Reflect on your answer now.

Take some time now to rest your mind. Let your only thoughts be to praise and worship Jesus. Thank him for knowing you so well that he gave rest as a commandment and he led by example.

Now let’s listen again to today’s verses:
Mark 2:27 :
Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

Psalm 95:2:
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

Is there anything else you would like to talk to Jesus about? Remember, he is right there with you, walking with you, and he is eager for you to share all that is on your heart and mind with him. Take some time to talk to and to thank Jesus now.

Now I am going to pray for us:

Dear Jesus,
I want to trust you. I want to rest and let go of striving. Help me make intentional rest a part of my life. Thank you for being the perfect example of all that makes for a Godly life. Thank you for your word, filled with wisdom to guide me to live a life of purpose and abundance. Jesus, I want to worship you and praise you and bring you glory with my life. I know that proper rest is the only way I can do that. I know this because you have told me and commanded me in your word. Forgive me for all the times I have overlooked this commandment and continued to strive instead of rest. Forgive me and help me walk in your ways always. Thank you, Jesus, for walking with me always. Amen.

Well, you did it! Another 10 minutes of walking and another opportunity to build the spiritual discipline of prayer and quiet time with the Lord. I’m grateful for you and I’m grateful you took the time to walk with me today. But more importantly, you walked with Jesus, the one who blesses you with rest for your soul!

For more Walk with Jesus resources, including the Walk with Jesus 21 day scripture, devotional, and guided prayer journal book for walkers, go to WalkwithJesusDevotional.com. The November edition focuses on gratitude and is a part of this podcast series. You will find the URL for this book and other resources in the podcast show notes.

I hope we can walk together again tomorrow, friend. We will be starting a new series, Christ in the Carols. Until then, God bless you as you walk with Jesus.