Restful Moments

How many times have you heard someone say, "I get plenty of sleep every night?" I am going to guess very seldom if ever. In fact, I would say the comment we hear most is "I don't get enough sleep" especially if you are like me.

As you think about your sleep habits, which end of the spectrum are you at? Too much or too little?

So often we find ourselves running non-stop trying to meet job deadlines, family commitments and expectations of others that we find ourselves feeling frustrated and depleted. We are even willing to give up our sleep to make sure everything gets done. Can you relate? If so, then this message will speak to you!

Restful moments throughout the day will renew our spirit and give us the energy we need to pursue God's will for each day. Make sure you stop frequently and allow yourself the quiet time needed for God to speak to your heart so that you know what direction He wants you to take.

Mark 6:31 NIV

"Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

Here's a couple of questions that will help you determine if you are in need of rest.

Do you feel stressed or spiritually fulfilled?

Are you able to incorporate restful moments throughout your day or week?

Do you feel guilty or find it difficult to take time for yourself because of all your commitments?

Friends, if you are struggling to find restful moments alone, then I hope these suggestions will help you make rest a priority in your life because your health depends on it!

Here are some suggestions that may help you:

* In the mornings meditate on God's Word before you pick up your phones or read emails.

* In the afternoon sit somewhere quiet and just turn off your thoughts and listen for the soothing sounds of nature or birds singing.

* Your restful moment can even be stopping what you are doing in the middle of the day and thinking about what you are grateful for in that moment just to realign your thoughts on God.

* Before you go to sleep read your favorite Bible passage to center your mind on God.

* Create a Sabbath day one day a week where you spend time without electronics, perhaps you read or go for a walk, spend time with your family or even just take a nap in the middle of the day. Skip chores and manual labor on your Sabbath and allow your body, mind, and spirit to be renewed.

Exodus 33:14 NIV

The Lord replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

I am currently reading a book called "Rest Living in Sabbath Simplicity" by Keri Wyatt Kent and she talks about how to move toward a "sanely paced, God-focused life" so I thought I would share a few of her insights regarding unplugging.

Keri's insight:

* Sabbath invites us to stop and to rest and to be content, even if things are not exactly as we'd hoped they'd be.

* Running without stopping also depletes life of meaning. To pause between the notes of our lives turns noise into music.

* To run without stopping violates God's design.

* Top performers know when to work hard and when to rest. They create routines that allow them to recover even between points. Their strength lies in their ability to recover.

* To get stronger, an athlete must push past his or her current limits, but then they must rest and allow their muscles to recover.

* Recovery is the key to full engagement, to peak performance, whether you are leading a Fortune 500 company or a family of five.

* It's important to withdraw from people and their demands and allow yourself to spend time with Jesus.

* Sabbath keeping helps us recover our lives.

* Sleep is a gift, a little healing miracle every night.

* If we want to grow, to become a stronger person, to become a more spiritual person, we must seek experiences that stretch us.

Psalm 46:10 NIV

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Henri Nouwen writes:

"A spiritual discipline is simply creating some space in our lives in which God can act."

"Time alone with God enables us to engage with people."

"Solitude is where spiritual ministry begins."

Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

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.”

Keri says: "To clear our schedules means we have to learn to say no to opportunities that sound good, no to putting our kids or ourselves into too many activities and no to overscheduling."

This can be difficult to do, but it's critical for our spiritual growth.

I hope this message not only reminds you of the importance of Sabbath rest, but that it encourages you to make restful moments a priority throughout your day and week!

Hebrews 4:9-11 NIV

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.

Written by: Jill Theriault

Crossroads Coaching - @crossroadscoachingongodstime