Rest

I am one who struggles to rest. To stop. Slow down. To do nothing for the glory of God. Micah calls me out on it all the time. While he is very good at keeping the Sabbath - his usually spans ALL of Saturday AND Sunday - I struggle mightily to stop and rest in Jesus. Here's a great word from Carolyn McCulley on rest and the Sabbath.  She is summarizing a Tim Keller sermon, and you know if it's coming from the duo of McCulley and Keller, it's going to be good. Here is a quote from Carolyn's blog (you can read the full posting here):


"Why is it hard for us to rest? Because we are always seeking affirmation and identity in our productivity and accomplishments. But the incredible concept of Christianity is that the only One to whom you have to prove yourself has already completed what you cannot do. Jesus is the only One who can truly say, "It is finished." Therefore, it is through the finished work of Jesus that we can rest."


"The Sabbath is an act of liberation. "Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day." (Dt. 5:15 NIV). If you don't rest, you are a slave -- a slave to your job, to the expectations of others, to your own reputation, whatever. "