Newsletter

May 2011 Newsletter

Devotional by Jodie Mannion

"God will neither sleep nor slumber as He cares for us" - Psalm 121:4

We are living in a time when rest is counter-cultural. The demands placed on us to perform, manufacture, respond and serve are unprecedented. Every moment MORE demands our attention, a constant full assault on the body, mind, spirit and our witness! Whether we admit it or not, we all get subtly immersed into "this system" that usurps rest and replaces it with self-sufficiency. We're all caught up in it. It's cultural.

But our God is counter-cultural, He is good and He is radical! He knows who we are and what we need most! He whispers and often shouts to us - TO BUY into HIS IDEA, the offer of REST.

We all need physical rest, that is a given. But could it be the root of the rest is deeper? Why yes, it's trust. Do I trust God, who is good, to meet my needs? And am I content and thankful with His provision?

I must challenge you with the "manna principle" (Exodus 16). Like the Israelites, do we ignore God trying to collect on the Sabbath or walk in unbelief with our daily worries? Like them, are we coming up empty or "finding none"? Have we violated other of His precepts and in our own strength trying to compensate? Or are we greedy, collecting more, ignoring that it will spoil. "Oh no, not me, I am a Christian"....sit here awhile, ask Him to reveal to you His truths.

We don't work to earn our salvation and we don't lose it when we rest. Rest confirms our salvation.

My question to you today - are you moving and living in the unforced rhythms of grace? Are you mentally free to allow yourself to rest, even as you work? What would you suppose this would require? Simply throw yourself in to His arms, for He cares for you!