Finding Rest in Christ in a Restless World - The Crosswalk Devotional - August 17

Finding Rest in Christ in a Restless World
By Lynette Kittle

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”—Matthew 11:28

Nowadays, individuals are encouraged to be on the go 24/7, whether working, traveling, or doing good. On the other hand, resting is not viewed with much respect or on the top of many peoples’ “to-do” or bucket lists. Instead, the push to go, go, go is motivating individuals to be constantly doing, whether it’s collecting views, likes, and comments on Social Media or visiting as many countries in the world as possible. Although many are tired, weary, and burdened, our restless world doesn’t offer us many opportunities to rest. As well as many individuals who are unwilling to answer Psalm 46:10s calling to “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Find Rest in Christ
Still, amid all the pressure to look and be successful in our culture, how many times have we heard someone tell us, “Just rest in Christ.” It’s biblical and is wise counsel, but how do we go about it, especially in a restless world? Following are six ways to experience God’s rest.

1. Understand even God rests.
Most of us go right over Genesis 2:2, not considering how God rested. “By the seven days God had finished the work He had been doing, so on the seventh day, He rested from all His work.” We’re created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), so because God rested, then we are created for rest, too.

2. Realize life can be tiring.
The Old Testament Prophet Elijah was ministering tirelessly, 24/7 around the clock, to defeat wicked Queen Jezebel. So much so that he became utterly and completely exhausted, feeling like he just couldn’t go on any longer. 1 Kings 19:5, 6 tells us what he needed to go on,

“Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.”

Often, too, what we need the most to keep going on is rest.

3. Choose trust over worry.
Resting in Christ means trusting Him for what’s happening in our lives. Rather than trying to make things happen, we look to Him to lead us in His will for our lives. When we trust God’s will for us, we let go of worrying about not doing enough or living up to other people’s standards and goals. Psalm 62:1 explains how “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him.”

4. Let go of fear.
With the push to always be on the go, there comes the fear of missing out. Social Media posts fuel this feeling with photos of all the places everyone else is visiting and the exciting activities they are experiencing, along with the tons of accomplishments they are achieving. But we don’t have to live fearful, afraid we’re missing out on life. As Isaiah 41:10 assures us, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

5. Turn to the Lord.
Peer pressure for adults is probably at an all-time high with the use of social media, cultivating an atmosphere of continually trying to look prosperous, popular, progressive, productive, and so much more. Often, it’s hard for many to turn away from the pressures to look certain ways. However, when we turn towards God, the veil that hides the truth is removed to reveal God’s love and His covenant with us.

“But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” - 2 Corinthians 3:16

6. Spend time with God. Amid this whirlwind of being busy, when is there time for God? Resting in God is centered on spending time with Him through reading His word, prayer, and praising Him. God will lead us into His rest when we spend time with Him. Psalm 23:2 describes how “He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.”

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Are you feeling rested or restless? Is everyday life leaving you little time to find rest in Christ? If so, ask God to help you to come to Him and experience His rest.

Further Reading:
A Prayer for Peace and Rest

Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.