Rest.

Resting. The word boils over and leaves me feeling anxious. I think of sitting still, being bored, fiddling my fingers and struggling to get comfortable. Sit still? What will I accomplish in holding still? Nothing. Nothing at all. I can sleep when I am dead. Yet when I put in the search words “rest” and “Bible” I am overwhelmed with results.

Resting is Biblical, even demanded. Some of the verses my favorite search engine found for me were:

Psalms 37:7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!
Mark 6:31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
Matthew 11:28-29 “…Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” 

And those are just a few. 

So why can’t I rest. Why does the idea send ice up my spine?

Simple. I am out of practice. I am a college student with many friends, family, church and school obligations. I love all of them but they keep me busy. So here are some rules I am trying to give myself to help me be a restful person.

1. Have a place to Rest.
Location, location, location. Much like proverbs warns that locating yourself with certain people and places make it more likely for you to sin having a place you practice resting in. Mine is a big round chair, a side table and a good distance from something that can play my favorite worship and metal CD’s. Yours can be whatever. Just have a place.

2. Have a Time

You have a place? You need to actually have a time. This is my worst area. I am one of those people that say “yes” to everything even when it is unwise. Any time I set aside for something is quickly scheduled over. This is because I do not value it. I hate the saying I have no time. I prefer the more honest I do not value this enough to spend time on it. This is how I feel about rest. I do not value it enough to make time for it. But setting aside some 15-60 minutes every day in stone and prioritizing that over any alternatives.

3. Do it. 
No really, do it. Just close your cell phone close this blog. Do it. Do it. Do it.

4. Remember who time belongs to.
The reason we struggle with time is because we think of it is ours. When we realize that we are not guaranteed tomorrow it is a lot easier to make time for God.  Then we can say no to things that God can take care of and recharge.

5. Partner up. 

Now if you are actually the type of person or have friends that have consistent quiet time have them mentor (is that the word I want?) you or have you join them for their time. Because then you have to face the “I thought you were joining me for devotion or hangout time?”

6. Forgive Yourself. 

If you mess up or sleep through it, replan and give yourself a better chance for success.  Beating yourself up and telling yourself you can’t do it only sets you (or us) for adopting an attitude that leads to even less succesful rest time.

7. Rest Well 

When you rest (devotions or just from work) rest well. Don’t obsess over the things you are resting from. Do not for a single moment rely on your own strength to rest. If you spent all day calculating work with your hands. If you spent all day working with your hands take up Sudoku.

Seven is the number of completion so I will rest this blog here. I hope you learn to rest with me. Our God rested on the last day because He was setting an example not because He needed to.