Day 18: Learning to Linger

Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16–18

When it comes to rest and implementing a practical Sabbath—actually carving out at least one full day each week to worship God and allow Him to replenish my body, mind, and spirit—I’m a slow learner. Worse still, sometimes I’m willfully disobedient. Stillness has never come easy for me. Running on fumes does, but not rest.

Mind you, some of my go-go-go is hardwired in my personality and some of it has to do with my calling. I mean, it’s pretty hard not to be passionate and raring to run as fast as you can when your “job” involves seeing people put their hope in the unconditional love of Jesus Christ, prodigals returning home, relationships restored, and formerly dead bones getting down on the dance floor!

However, much of my burn-the-candle-at-both-ends mindset is tied to shame. I do understand cognitively that God doesn’t love me any less if I’m sitting on a beach instead of sharing the Gospel, investing in a missional cause, or cleaning the baseboards. And the sovereignty of our Creator-Redeemer is part of what I love most about God and is just so central to my theology, so I don’t for a moment really think He “needs” me to accomplish His will. But there’s still a small, bruised corner of my soul secretly clinging to the idea that my worth and productivity are inextricably linked. That I’m only precious in His sight when I’m getting something done.

Thankfully, the Lord’s kindness is unchanging, and He is committed to creatively teaching me why resting in Him is the better way, every single time. For example, He has recently taught me this through little moments with Missy—moments I would have missed if I was in a hurry. Like when I heard her happy giggle preceding her body down a giant, curlicue slide, or saw her face filled with joyful abandon when she raced around the yard with our dogs Cookie and Maggie, or felt her warm hand clasp mine when we lazily ambled down our long driveway to check the mailbox. When I took the time and gave myself the margin to notice, I realized I was filled to the brim with delight and contentment over Missy simply having fun. In those sweet moments, I could sense our heavenly Father whispering, “Those huge waves of love you feel for your daughter are mere drops compared to the ocean of affection I have for you.” As you can imagine, I smiled gratefully, renewed in my commitment to linger in His embrace longer and not wriggle out of His presence the first chance I get in some unnecessary attempt to “earn my keep.”

That’s what Sabbath does for us all—it helps us stay still long enough to bask in just how much He delights in us. If we spend all of our days in a hurry, we’ll miss that. And I don’t know about you, but whether I’m chasing a dog around a yard or curling up with a blanket and His Word, I need to remember that this is how God feels about me. Frankly, I think we all need the reminder that He is filled to the brim with contentment and delight over us, and to let His overflow fill us up.

• On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being “burn the candle at both ends” and 10 being “total couch potato,” where would you place yourself?
• Do you think spiritual rest always requires us to cease physical activity? Why or why not?
• In what ways do you try to “wriggle free” from God’s presence? What steps could you take to linger a little longer?