Rev. David Hind
THE REST THING
By Rev. D. Hind
I am writing this on a day when I am tired. This week I have been over busy and this has meant less sleep than normal. Added to this, on Sunday night, our burglar alarm went off at midnight and I rushed downstairs shouting, ‘Hello’ to anyone who may be helping themselves to my possessions. I was comforted by the thought that my lads would be down in a flash if a fight ensued.
With the alarm eventually turned off, the house checked and silence restored, all I could hear was the sound of my boys, soundly sleeping, not having been stirred. When the same thing happened again the next night, I decided to ‘poke around’ with one of the screwdrivers in one of the sensors. He whole alarm fused (costing me £170) and the alarm bell rang out for longer than I am emotionally able to face telling you.
When the emergency call-out man arrived at 1-30 a.m. he reversed at high speed into a lamp post outside our house. When he eventually prised open the boot of his car, his car alarm sounded and he loudly greeted my already suffering neighbours with language I haven’t heard in too many Christian choruses!
Life is lot easier to face after a good night’ sleep.
I recently went to see Thomas while he was working in our computer room. He was communicating with around eight people on MSN Messenger, listening to music, had the television on, and at the same time he was trying to text someone on his mobile phone, peel an orange and do his homework! I jest not! Call minding, conference calls, email, mobile phones, coffee in a travel cup, multi-tasking.
Is there no end to the things that seek to rob us of a little rest? Now I believe in hard work and that every adult is called to be a ‘working’ person. For some this may mean working in the home, for others it is working outside the home, but we are all called to work hard. I also believe that every Christian is called to serve their local church.
Churches suffer from too many self-seeking Christians who can worship with passion, but then not serve, pick up litter, or make time to help others. So when you consider all this, how does the rest thing work?
* Rest was built into the natural rhythm of life by God. He rested on the seventh day after creating the world and mankind.* Rest draws boundaries around work and gives us chance to celebrate what we have achieved.* Rest brings refreshment and re-orientates our values.* Rest sets a pattern for life. Jesus said, ‘Come with Me yourself to a quiet place and get some rest’ – Matthew 11: 28.* Rest is the promise of God.
Learn the secret of contentment
In his fantastic book, Ordering Your Private World, Gordon MacDonald talks about driven people: 1. A driven person is most often gratified only by accomplishment and its symbols.2. A driven person is usually caught up in the uncontrolled pursuit of expansion.3. Driven people tend to have a limited regard for integrity and are easily angered.4. Driven people are abnormally busy and highly competitive. I love to achieve, push things forward and dream of growth, but I don’t want to be a driven man and the balance is not always easy to find. Content is a key to rest and Paul writes, ‘I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or I want’ – Philippians 4: 12. Have you learned the secret? Watch how you live? You are precious and you need to look after yourself. A healthy diet, drinking lots of water, observing wise bedtimes, getting regular exercise, having structured time when you are quiet, and plenty of laughter are all important.
Maintain healthy relationships
Honouring marriage and friendship is healthy. If you say sorry, forgive regularly and practise loyalty you will find it easier to rest.
Like yourself
If you live with skeletons in the cupboard of your life, then rest is hard to find. Have a ‘clear out’, live in the light and realise you are amazing.
Be secure and trust Him for everything
Lean on God, hold on to Him, rely on Him and walk with Him. Everything is alright.
Live Close to Jesus
If you walk close to Jesus you will be a more restful person. Jesus said, ‘Come unto Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’ – Matthew 11: 28
