Before going any further, read this chapter:
The context of its writing is the coveted promised land to which the Jews had wandered after Egypt. The key topic, however, can be summarized as the inability of God's people to enter into their place of rest due to unbelief. As simple as this sounds, it has profound application for us today. In the hustle and bustle of a 21st century global community, rest can be elusive, if not downright resistant. We can blame society at large, the technology that makes us all so "accessible," the economy, or global warming, but the truth of it all is simple - unbelief. The more we struggle to nestle down into the safety of our relationship with God, the more we will strive to provide for ourselves and others. The less we trust the Lord, the less we believe in His goodness, His provision, His assistance, His sovereignty - the less likely we are to be able to enter into the rest He has for us. Prioritizing the presence of God positions us for the intimacy with Him that is so crucial to the development of faith. We all have a measure of faith, but faith is living and active and designed to be grown, matured, developed and increased. Being with Him exposes us to the perfect environment for the growth of our faith. God's presence is the incubator for anything worth growing within us. As we sink into His perfect love, fear is cast out and faith cannot help but to exponentially grow within us. As that happens, we cease the scrambling and striving that unbelief inspires and we find our rest.
It doesn't have to take a long time. It doesn't require a special program or conference. Those are wonderful oases, but not the sustainable moments we need for everyday life. It can be accomplished in a simple, "yes" to Him and a, "no" to the efforts to which we typically give credit for our success. Challenge yourself today. Take ten minutes during the "crunch time" of your day. Not during lunch, but during that moment when you're thinking, "If I take a break now, all the hordes of hell will swoop in and destroy what I've been working so hard to produce." Go into the bathroom, out into your car, go take a walk - no phone, no computer, nobody but you and Jesus. Intentionally lean into the safety of His love for you. Openly declare that your trust is in Him, that you know He will take care of you, that you are convinced you will prosper and succeed because of His goodness and not your flesh effort. Let your faith grow as you take refuge in His greatness; and then feel the impartation of His peace - enter into your REST. Love you!
Forever panning for gold,
Chris Liotta
