Refreshment
By Cindy Goding
When you look at the picture above you find yourself taking a deep breath and longing to be sitting on those chairs listening to the soft sound of the waves and feeling the warmth of the sun on your face. You can almost feel your body begin to relax a little more just looking at the picture right?
Question for you-
Do you look to God’s word for as much refreshment as you do for something else? More than a vacation?
More than a spa day? More than an afternoon alone? More than a date with your spouse? More than a favorite drink, snack, or dessert? Do you look to God’s word as the only thing that will truly satisfy, refresh, rejuvenate, and uplift your mind, body, and soul?
Gotta admit, I don’t often think of God’s word this way. I feel this after every time I spend some deep time in God’s word. I feel lighter and happier and much more peaceful after I have spent time with God through prayer and reading the Bible. However, I don’t always go into this time thinking this way.
Often, I can view my time spent with God as a “task” or something that I need to check off my “Good Christian List”. Did I spend time in God’s word today? Check. Done, time to move onto something else. Now, there are times and moments in our lives where this is just the case. Where spending time in God's word is better to be a checklist item than no item at all in our daily routines.
However, we don’t want to stay there. I find myself so excited and longing for the things that I think will bring refreshment. There are times where I am desperate for just time time alone and space to be quiet and by myself. There are times when I know that I have a weekend trip coming up and I find myself counting down the days, hours, and minutes. There are moments where I feel completely envious of others as they enjoy exotic vacations and trips. But as I sit here and make lists of what will give me true refreshment I have realized, I have the only thing that will truly satisfy me right at my finger tips.
When I am in God’s word and in prayer with him I find myself being able to look at circumstances in a more positive light. I find my soul resting in the peace that he has given us. I find myself intentionally looking for him more in the spaces around me. Instead of feeling defeated, I find myself steadied and ready for stepping into the battle. Instead of feeling anxious or alone, I find myself able to take calm breaths and rest in the “peace that passes all understanding”.
Yes, we get refreshment through different avenues in our life and that is how God has designed us! He has designed us to find joy and happiness in different things and through different people. AND, he wants us to find true rest and refreshment through His word and His love, and His peace, and His compassion, and His sovereignty, and His plan, and His power, and His knowledge, and His kindness. He wants us to truly find the refreshment we need and long for in His presence.
So Rest In Him.