Rest

5/7/09 Reflections from a Rocker # 3
Ah-h-h the quiet of my surroundings, not even a squeak in the rocker---just rain on the roof of the covered porch and flowing out of Doris’ impromptu fountain made out of the cows’ mineral bucket, so it doesn’t flood the porch. Such surroundings are so peaceful and restful and conducive to lingering. What rest for my soul!
I had learned from one of son, Buddy’s, earlier messages that there are several myths about rest:
• Rest is leisure time. Our family can wear ourselves out in pursuit of leisure.
• Rest arrives with more money. Once you get it all, then you can rest is a real myth.
• Rest comes with more options. Just think about where more TV stations, more timesaving appliances and more social networks on the internet have really gotten us.

I also learned that there are truths about biblical rest. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) He didn’t say that he would change the address or the circumstances but that He would meet us at each juncture with His rest.
No doubt we live in a “waffle house world”---one that keeps us scattered, (fragmented) covered (with responsibilities, even worthwhile ones) and smothered (by distractions that keep the Lord at bay). In Little House on the Freeway, Tim Kimmel describes such a condition; so busy we can’t relax, seldom satisfied with what we have, worrying about things we cannot control and overworked and underappreciated. Where is the rest in this? Better question, “where is the Lord in this?” We are complete in Him. He is our rest.
Shalom (שָׁלוֹם) is a Hebrew word meaning peace, completeness, and welfare—I think that word gives us the right idea of His rest. It’s about Him not about our location or circumstances.
My first thought this morning was, it will be hard to leave this place of rest---a place of quiet inhabited by the Lord. Now I realize how silly that was; I can have His rest with me at all times as He inhabits my life.