It's raining today. I am coming to understand that this is a daily event in this sub-tropical climate at this time of year. To wake up to a cool rain in the heat of summer is refreshing, to say the least. Rain also slows me down. On a sunny day I spring out of bed ready to tackle the day's obstacles and opportunities. But when I wake up in the dark with the sound of raindrops pattering against the window pane it has a tendency to make me hit the snooze button and roll over for another round of dreams. It sounds pathetic, but the truth is that all of us need a little rain in our lives on a regular basis.
God created the sabbath for man. He even modeled this by ceasing from His labors on the seventh day of creation. He did this for a reason. We need rest to restore brokenness. Our bodies break down from work. Our emotions break down from stress. Our attitudes break down from weariness. Our creativity breaks down from overactivity. Rest restores everything from our body cells to our brain cells.
The opposite of rest is restlessness. Genesis 4:12-14 tells us that restlessness was part of Cain's curse. Whenever we are restless we are operating under the curse. God wants us to be in a state of restfulness (Matthew 11:28-29). He wants us restFULL not restLESS. He is our sabbath rest (Hebrews 4:9-11)! For me, rain says "Stop and relax today - contemplate, allow restoration - chill out - don't take yourself so seriously!"
The other day I was reading in Mark's Gospel where the disciples were overwhelmed with ministry and the demands of people. Jesus said to His chosen disciples, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest" (Mark 6:31). Jesus understands that we as frail humans have limitations. Jesus became weary Himself several times in His ministry and had to seek reprieve to spend time with His father in restoration. These were battery charging times when He could revive to return and minister some more in the power of the Spirit. If Jesus needed times of respite, what makes us think that we are immune to them?
I used to pray, "Lord, I want to go out in a blaze of glory for You!" I have since discovered that burn out is most unproductive. The "abundant life" - that is, a fruitful life - is a life of balance. The longer I last the more I can do for God. And the sharper I am the more productive my time for Him will be. This means I must learn to slow down and rest on a regular basis. The best way to do this is to spend time every day alone with the Father in prayer and contemplation - quiet time - restful time. If you will give God the first hour of every day, and the first day of every week, He will give you the peace and rest that you need to live in full productivity and abundance.
I don't think I would do well to live in a rainy climate like the Pacific Northwest. I would be in contemplation mode all day long and never get anything done. These early summer days in the Piedmont are perfect. They are filled with sunshine but balanced with a daily thunderstorm that says, "OK, you've worked hard all day, now take a break for a few minutes and restore yourself." So, rather than complain about the lack of sunshine today I'm going to say, "BRING ON THE RAIN!"
Matthew 11:28-29 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
