“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.
Since my previous blog, I’ve been reflecting more on the three benefits that I mentioned, from spending a whole day with God. The blessings of an extended period of rest. Just you and your Heavenly Father.
This is by no means an exhaustive list because God is limitless and the blessing of doing this is immeasurable, but this is how I feel I am impacted each time I do it. It is quality, focused time in the Word (and other forms of worship) which gives me the strength to keep pressing on confidently, refreshed and renewed.
As a full time working mum it can be hard to block out half a weekend for this, when I already don’t see my family during work hours. But I honestly believe that by doing this once every 6 months, my family are much better off for it. They have a calmer, more focused and more confident wife and mum. One who fondly remembers her time spent with the Lord and uses the truths that He revealed throughout that day to help drive the direction of her family and ministry.
Now a day like this isn’t always easy. Sometimes I start the day in pain, pouring my heart out to God because life is getting on top of me. The pressure of work, marriage, motherhood, relationships, managing the health and finances of a household can all take their toll. The mental load of having clean uniforms, making sure there’s bread for lunches, making sure they tidy their room. And that’s just looking after my husband. I jest, but in all honesty the mental load that women carry can be overpowering. Without knowing that there is someone willing and able to help, it can easily feel like you’re drowning.
The verse following the one listed above says “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30). The word yoke refers to the timber beam that pairs two oxen together so they work in harmony. What Jesus is saying to us personally is that He is willing and able to shoulder the stress, the pain, the anxiety, the heavy load and help you in your time of need.
I take comfort in the honesty of the Psalmist and many others who cry out to God, with powerful, raw emotion. It’s taken me years to get to that point, I think I’ve hidden from God in my relationship with God, not wanting to upset Him. But I’ve realised that it’s futile. God knows how I’m feeling, (and how we’re all feeling). How stupid must we be to try and hide from Him. He wants an authentic relationship with us, He came to earth and died on a cross for that, the least we can do is reach out and accept His grace. It is a free gift on offer to everyone.
So, these are the 3 benefits that I’ve discovered from spending extended time with God:
Resetting your body.
You can gain a lot by physically stopping for an entire day, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t go for a walk or dance if you feel led to. It’s more about not socialising, not doing house work, not putting anyone or anything ahead of your time with God. Allowing your body to be still means that the chaos of our lives can be silenced for a day as we seek to ensure that God’s voice is louder in our lives. Find a comfy chair and settle in but I’d encourage you to spend part of the day on your knees in prayer. Having that posture physically reminds us who we are communicating with and helps us put ourselves and lives in perspective.
Recentering your soul.
Spiritual rest is much more than just stopping your body for a day. It is about recentering your soul on the One who creates and sustains. As Rachel McAdams’ character in Wedding Crashers (and yep I’m quoting from Wedding Crashers), puts it beautifully, “True love is the soul’s recognition of its counterpart in another.”
We were all created with one true purpose: to glorify our creator. By resting in the Lord, we remind ourselves of that purpose.
We are centred on who really matters and it is a chance to increase the intimacy in our relationship with God.
Over the past few years I’ve completed a few of Beth Moore’s Bible study guides (I’d highly recommend them all, by the way). Beth’s writing has been transformative in the way that I start everyday with God. In one of her studies and I’m so sorry I’ve forgotten which one, she encourages believers to “Ask God daily to have the authority over your life for the day ahead”. In Jesus’ explemplorary prayer he urges us to pray “Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11). God calls us to rely on Him for the strength and endurance and faith for the day ahead. We may not know what’s to come in 1, 5, or 20 years from now.
But we know that God has a plan. And today his plan for you is to trust in Him.
Refocusing your mind.
Using whatever means possible to change your perspective from earthly things to heavenly things. Prayer is always the best place to start to ask God’s Spirit to fill you, focus you and lead you. Changing your perspective puts God in his rightful place. As the one who is worthy to receive all gory, honour and power. It also reminds us that we are only a tiny part of his eternity-long redemptive plan. It reminds us of our rightful place, as servants of Jesus.
How do I spend a whole day?
Across a whole day, I spread my time across a combination of:
- reading God’s Word;
- journaling (prayers, thoughts, reflections);
- writing;
- singing;
- praying;
- dancing (alone where no one can see me, only God would find it beautiful);
- listening to sermons / Christian Podcasts;
- reading Christian books that will grow my knowledge of and love for God;
- responding to God however I feel led to; and,
- one thing I’ve always struggled to do: meditate. To be still. To block out all the noise of this world and focus on hearing God’s voice. To be akin to His Spirit. To list intently for His voice to speak. It’s never been audible to be, but I know when I’ve heard from Him. Thoughts pop into my mind that I know can be tested against His Word, which could only come from Him. Insights into my life or into the lives of those around me, things He has taught or revealed to me. It is these moments that are the most precious to my soul.
If this is new to you, I will be praying for you – that God will reset your body, recenter your soul and refocus your mind like you’ve never experienced before.
God bless you, my friend.
BB
