Retreat into Rest
Sponsored by the Northwoods Women Ministry
January 10, 2009
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
SouthWood Plantation House
3255 Hemingway Boulevard
Tallahassee, FL 32311
This one-day retreat is designed to give women an opportunity to “escape” for a day of rest after the busy holidays and to refocus on personal intimacy with God.
Cost $20 (includes breakfast and lunch + Bible study book)
Gift certificates available
Register Today!
Volunteers needed
Contact Linda Adams at 906-0362 or Paula Grimes at 539-3881.
Hi Everyone,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you are joining us for the Resting in Him Bible study via our blog.
We anticipate having a great time in exchanging insights and revelationa and our views on the teachings.
Blessings to you as we study learn to know God better, leading us to trust Him so that we can rest in Him and His provision for us.
Love
Paula
Lesson One - The Stress Test
ReplyDeleteI especially liked question 5. Why do you think going to a solitary place was so crucial to Jesus' life and the impact He had on others?
I thought about John 15 where Christ talks about His Father's love for Him and the relationship He shares with His Father. Jesus had to come away to know His Father, to know HIs love, and to be in a relationship with Him. We must do the same to abide in Christ as John 15 speaks about and to know Christ, as we spoke about during the retreat.
I also liked the Digging Deeper on page 6 - How does spending time with Jesus make you more confident in your purpose? Do you need to find more time to pray in a solitary place as you seek Christ's purpose for yourself?
Finally, let's give some attention to the Bonus Activity on page 6, learning to recognize the causes of stress and sources of stress in our lives. Especially pray about recognizing areas in which you need to cut back, say NO or make lifestyle changes to lessen stress in your life. If you seek God's word in this, He will provide.
I look forward to our time together exploring these oportunities.
Love
Paula
Paula/Linda - thanks for inviting me to join the blog. I particularly liked lesson 2, page 9, #4, where we were challenged to read Matthew 6:25-32 to find our what things we should not worry about. It reminded me of Rick Warren's statement in his Purpose Driven Life book that if "one can worry, then one can meditate." I recalled the scriptures we talked about Saturday, 11 Cor. 10:5 and Phil. 4:8. Also, Phil. 4:19 is very good - "And my God shall supply all your need/s according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:6 also states we are to be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. It is all so good and encouraging!
ReplyDeleteLesson Two - The Benefits of Rest
ReplyDeleteWas Question 2 interesting to you? Look at your list again? Isn't it interesting that the things we "default" to when we are tired and not rested are bad habits that don't realy help us with being tired, don't really help us rest? We just compound bad feelings, negative feelings and action on top of being tired.
I really liked Questions 6, 7 and 8 pertaining to Psalm 131. the humble attitude depicgted here. The Psalmist realizes he can not do and understand all things. But he has quieted his soul and rests in the Lord. It's a great comfort that we do not have to understand all the wonderful - but complicateed - situations and to know that the Holy God does understqand them and is in control of them. And we can experience great comfort in knowing He walks beside us through these complicated situations. What security!!
Digging Deeper on page 11 was so rewarding. What a reminder of God's keeping us as we live righteously by obeying God's direction. What peace and security as we are under His wing of protection, close to Him. I enourage you to commit to your quiet time. The Lord said Be Still and Know I Am God. Be obedient to this invitation and grow in your knowledge of His rest and peace.
Take extra time with "Ponder and Pray" on page 12. Just meditqate on those words. How beautiful. Don't be one who would not listen.
I encourage you to do the Bonus Activity this week. Take a 15 minute rest, pray and relax if you can't take a nap. Enjoy feeling refreshed. Share your insights about your rest with us.
I look forward to receiving your comments and insights about this week's study.
Rest in HIm
Paula
Sorry about the typo in my first comments this morning. My fingers are cold and fumbling and evidently so is my brain, I forgot to proof the comments before submitting.
ReplyDeleteI've just reread the scriptures in Lesson Two again. just wonderful.
Psalm 131 - verse 2 I have quieted my soul
like a weaned child - like a child who is satisfied as Linda taught in our retreat. Also the thought occurred to me - a weaned child does not require milk from his mother but has grown to need more substantial food. As we grow in the Lord, we need more solid food - not milk - but more substantial teaching (as Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 3:2). A child who has received his solid food is satisfied; we too can rest and experience satisfaction as we grow and come to know the Lord. As a weaned child with his mother - As the Lord's satisfied child with my Protector and Defender.
He is truly worthy of our hope now and forevermore.
Isaiah 32:17 my NIV translates the 2nd line as "the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. What a beautiful promise. We all want confidence and we all want to quientness in our souls.
Isaiah 28:12 - God gives a resting place, a place of repose. But some did not listen.
Oh Lord, may our hearts always be in a listening place so we do not miss any word you have for us.
These scriptures are so rich. Share any insights you've gained about rest this week.
Paula
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ReplyDeleteJust looking at the Title of this book,
ReplyDelete"RESTING IN HIM - I need to slow down, but I can't!"
caused me to stop and think...
Yes, I thought, I NEED TO REST IN HIM!!! but how can I say I need to slow down? Sometimes I think I am standing still or backing up. I certainly can't be too busy with life.
As I read the foreword I agreed that (1) yes, I have lived a performance-based lifestyle and (2) yes, I have let my lifestyle convince me that what I achieve each day is important. It was a realization that (3) yes, I am feeling a lot of guilt because I am not balancing a heavy workload anymore.
I thought about how I know that God led me to this church 9 years ago to stop "doing" and LISTEN to Him. So, here I am, 9 years later realizing I still need to "Be still and know that HE IS GOD." It is the BEING STILL that gives me trouble.
I am so thankful that someones' heart was touched to bring us to this study.
CHAPTER ONE - The Stress Test
Taking this test was an eye opener to me. I realized that my biggest source of feeling stress right now is caused by my own procrastination and my desire to do everthing that crosses my mind.
Even though I believe that Jesus experiences everything man does, I never really thought about how much pressure and stress he must have had on his life every day. WOW!
Paula, you asked about Q-5. Why do I think going to a solitary place early in the morning was so crucial to Jesus'life and the impact He had on others? It had to give Him the energy and peace of mind He needed to go through the day.
From Digging Deeper on page 6 - How does spending time with Jesus make you more confident in your purpose?
A solitary place helps so that I will not be distracted so easily.
Time with God makes everything else seem so unimportant.
Karen
Hi Girls,
ReplyDeleteI finished Lesson 3, but I'm just now getting to post some comments -- because I've been too busy to do one more thing! Hence, my need for the study. As I am writing, I am in Tampa at a beautiful hotel. I finished my work for the day and now my sanctuary rest begins. This is my solitary place and my time to "withdraw weekly." Last week I spent about 5 hours at Atlanta Bread Co. one afternoon withdrawing from my busy world.
As I worked on Lessons 1 and 2, I've made it my priority to meditate on Isaiah 40:28-31 and 2 Peter 1:2-4. I've also been reading and considering the verses Tena shared from Psalm 119. I so love God's Word!
One assessment I made last week about the unhealty alternatives I am tempted to turn to when I'm tired and not well rested (Q-2 on p.9) is that I crave "comfort food" when I tired or stressed. I realized that, instead of comfort food, I need to crave the Comforter Himself. That's why I need proper physical rest plus quiet time.
From Matt. 6:33-34, God reminded me that I cannot have God's joy in the present and enjoy His rest if I am grieving over the failures of the past or constantly worrying about the future.
I try to reserve my Sunday afternoons for "Sabbath rest." God showed me something about keeping that time special. When I remain true to my commitment to rest, it allows my husband time to rest also, and it gives him peace knowing that I am also resting. He worries about me.
This study is great. I love this new medium to discuss the study by blogging. It makes me feel high-tech.
Linda
Week Four The Gift of the Sabbath
ReplyDeleteWOW - talk about a SHOUT OUT - the first paragraph shouted at me - Rest demands that we stop completely, We stop measuring our worth by our productivity. Performing is easier than being. I need to be reminded of those gems often.
I enjoyed these opening paragraphs so much - reminding me that God is orderly and balances life - as described in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 on page 16. Also, providing time for rest and instructing us to rest is a new dimension of God's love for us. I'd never thought about rest in that way before, but it was really impressed upon me this week. God wants us to enjoy life, to be kind and grace-giving (as reflected in the study) and He will protect us if we cooperate with His plan.
The Sabbath reminds us that time is holy. - I've thought about that this week too. We seem to go through time, doing things, spending it as we wish, taking it for granted. But to think about it as it truly is - a holy gift from the Lord - WOW - encourages us to use it well, to think about what we're doing as people of God. Using time to rest is not only a godly way to use time but also provides the opportunity to reflect on our lives and make calm decisions about how to use our gift of time in the best ways.
Give me your thoughts on question 6, page 26. That one was interesting to me and I had to ponder it awhile. I came to the conclusion we can't be legalistic about the Sabbath as some in Jesus day were. Compassion not legalism. Any other thoughts?
I encouage you to find a day this week to celebrate the Sabbath. Then think about how the this rest time has affected your relationship with God.
Remember, if it does not take you all week to finish your Resting in Him study, meditate on some of the scriptures in the Retreet handouts. There's some wonderful verses with promises and revelation of God's character there.
Have a blessed week,
Paula
I love the idea that the God of the universe who keeps on giving and giving to us gave us the gift of Sabbath rest. Setting aside time every week to rest from my work, my worry, and my weariness is absolutely essential for me. This week I did not get my Sabbath rest that I had planned for Sunday afternoon. As a result, I have experienced more physical, mental, enotional, and spiritual fatigue than usual. God gave me this beautiful gift and I left it unopened. So, I've taken some Sabbath moments throughout the week to refresh myself and be refreshed in the Lord. The longer block of time is best, of course, but moments certainly help.
ReplyDeleteThe Sabbath is a blessing not a burden. Jesus took the opportunity to teach about the Sabbath to the Pharisees who were more interested in law keeping than in developing a relationship with the Living God. Their wrong thinking and demands kept people in bondage to the law. Thank God that Jesus gives us grace. I had to quit thinking of the Sabbath as a day and had to learn to see it as a concept. God wants me to rest in Him - for salvation and His eternal security, for the work and service He accomplishes through me, and for the time I dedicate to Him to rest His temple (my body).
Sabbath gives me rest both for my body and for my soul.
Blessings,
Linda
The second paragraph in Chapter Four starts out:
ReplyDelete"Real rest demands that we stop completely.... We stop measuring our worth by our productivity."
Why is this so difficult for me. I am a To-Do List kind of person. On page 28 the author asked us to ponder and pray over the scripture Genesis 2:2 which said, "by the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing and he rested." I feel like I never finish. I realize it is because I have not been asking God to help me set boundaries and break things into tasks that CAN be completed.
It was really very interesting to think about the fact that God established a Sabbath year and not just the Sabbath day. I relate thinking about the Sabbath year back to Chapter 3 when we were considering the seasons of our life (not just by nature but physically and spiritually). As I move into the fall and winter of my life physically and can not do the things I use to be able to do, I feel so much peace of mind as to how this gives me the opportunity to demonstrate my trust in God and His provision for my life. A time to devote to spending more and more of my time resting in Him.
Paula, you asked for thoughts on Q.6 page 26:
I think Jesus is telling us that letting a concept or an idea control us has nothing to do with the concept of "Resting on the Sabbath and keeping it Holy".
I am reminded that I am being Disobedient to what God has commanded us to do if I don't take advantage of this gift from God by taking time to rest my soul and realign myself with God.
Lesson 5 The Power of Margins
ReplyDeleteThis week's lesson is so great. It's very timely and the lesson's title - The Power of Margins - is so right. Listening to the Lord and accepting His margins or boundries for us is SO powerful.
This is one of the ironies of God's love for us. As we accept that we can't do it all and set margins, limit ourselves to God's will - we actually experience and enjoy more freedom. Rather than being stressed about a cup full of activity that we think we must accomplish, we can experience some freedom and joy in what we do. As our lesson puts it, "You can get the max out of life without maxing out your life."
I am reminded that margins protect us from stress and frustration too,from over doing.
I am overjoyed this week as the Lord is speaking to me about my margins. It's not a coincidence that we are studying margins here and our Spiritual gifts in our Heartlifter's class. I am learning more about our Spiritual gifts and one phrase stuck with me this week especially, "and He gives them to each one, just as He determines" 1 Cor 12:14. God has planned which gift to give me. I don't have to perform and do them all. I am enjoying more freedom as I accept margins or the God given boundaries.
This week I've found that when I've turned the day over to the Lord and ask that He teach me new things about margins, He is actually helping me to get more done and with a joyful heart.
Girlfriends, we've really got to get the concept and practice of margins perfected. It is a great gift of joy and peace to us from our Father.
I hope you'll have the opportunity to schedule some time at home and relax this week.
Blessings to you
Love, Paula
Lesson 6 - The Fine Art of Saying "N0"
ReplyDeleteIn reading and pondering this lesson, I'm just so impressed by the fact that we must go to the Lord often and with total honesty to be able to discern when to say "No" and when to accept invitations to become involved in activities. The examples of David's leadership in the lession are so good. Jesus also only moved as His Father directed. This requires regular conversation and discernment as to the Lord's leading. We gain this discernment from spending time with Him.
The author summed it up so well on page 36 - We learn the fine art ofsaying "NO"
"primarily by saying "YES" to God first. At the beginning of each day, take time to pray and ask God to order your steps. Ask HIm to bring the people and opportunities into your life that He has for you". Developing this discipline will help us experience the freedom the Lord has for us.
Again, this week, I'm reminded of our lesson in our Heartlifter's class about our gifts. As we learn what our spiritual gift is and learn how God wants us to practice and use it, we can confidently know when and where we are to serve and when we are to say "No" to an invitation. It's so wonderful to see the two subjects from our teachings come together to give us wisdom about how to live as God intended.
His rest is such a wonderful gift!
Let me know your thoughts.
love you,
Paula
Lesson 7 Your Home Your Sanctuary
ReplyDeleteThis lesson was a delight for me this week - Kenny, my husband who just retired, and I have done alot of yard work. We pulled out plants (with a tractor) and raked pinestraw and spread pinestraw. We've changed the flower beds in the front of our house. I told him yesterday, I wish we'd taken before and after pictures! We have to decide what we're going to plant in the beds but for now they look so fresh and clean and simple. It's delightful to have done this while I'm reading about making my home a place for people to connect and where we can share the good news of Jesus.
(I've always liked yard work better than house work because it's outside and when your done, your work shows for a long time. The orderliness and cleanliness created by house work is short lived. But I even did a little inside this week too!)
On to our lesson - I had not thought about Paul creating a home for himself and for others to visit as he welcomed them, but as the lesson's author points out, he did. What power filled visits he must have shared with his visitors as they exchanged thoughts and prayed for the work of the church, for each other and shared the Good News of Jesus.
Questions 1 and 2 guided us to think about the atmosphere of our homes as visitors come in and share our homes. Then Question 3 speaks of our homes as a sanctuary. This is so true. It's always good to come home. I was reminded this is an issue of balance. We want to have a home where people come to visit, where they are comfortable and feel good while they are with us. But we also must have enough time with just our families so that we can enjoy our sanctuaries and rest. Too many visitors results in confusion and frustration and no hospitality and too few visitors leads to boredom and no sharing. It's a balance.
The importance of our attitude, our heart condition, is discussed on page 46. That is so true and we must remember that a good attitude is central and required to making people feel welcomed. All the cleaning and decorating and fluff goes unappreciated if the people are not happy and don't enjoy themselves. It reminds us to plan well and prepare in advance so that we're not so tired, we can't enjoy our visitors. Yesterday I watched Beth Moore on James Robison's program. She said something about Martha that I'd never thought about. She pointed out that Martha invited people to her home and that is a good thing. But Beth suggests that maybe the reason Martha was hurrying around working, making arrangements for her guests, while Mary sat at Jesus' feet, was that she had not adequately prepared before they arrived - she had not done her "Pre-preparations". Hospitality requires a lot of work and perperation and a big cheerful smile in addition to an invitation.
I'm challenged this week to look at my home and find new ways to make it more welcoming and more comfortable to visitors when they come and new ways to share Christ with people who visit us.
Did you like reflecting on your home after being in this week's lesson? Did you decide to make any changes? If so, share with me. Your suggestions may work for me!
Love you,
Paula
Lesson Eight Discovering a Secret Place
ReplyDeleteThis week's lesson really tied the necessity of taking time to retreat with the Lord, going to that Secret Place with abiding with the Lord. I'm convinced we can't really abide with Him through our daily comings and goings unless we first go to our Secret Place and abide and fellowship with Him there.
I admit, I chuckled when I read about Brother Lawrence. Our lesson says "Brother Lawrence lived as if there was no one else but God and Him in the world". Well, we know he did not have kids - even older ones!
I really liked question 3 on page 51 - What did you discover about yourself and God through the experience of God being a secret place? Oh the intimacy that the Lord has shared over time when we've been alone in prayer, meditation and journaling. This seems to be where I've really learned about His nature and character, the depth of His love.
And truly, enjoying our secret place with God provides a peace that the world can't offer.
And reading John 15:5-8 was so exciting this week, it being tied to abiding and bearing fruit. I yearn to bear fruit for the Lord's glory. As we've learned several times in this study, bearing fruit and being what God wants us to be and doing what He wants us to do, depends on abiding in Him, with Him and following his leadership with His power. Truly something we can not do on our own.
Please pray with me that those of us participating in this study will abide in the Lord so much that we will bear fruit for Him, in our families, our church and community.
Relating to question 7, I'm reminded that the times when I need to go to my secret place the most - during difficulty - that's when it's hardest to settle down and find a quiet place. But what comfort comes when we do.
I hope we all have established the habit of seeking a quiet place every day. If this study has encouraged you, let me know.
Hope to hear from you.
Paula
Lesson Nine - Moments of Retreat
ReplyDeleteWhy are moments of retreat so important? The truth is sometimes we have to retreat in order to advance. What practical reality. Retreats- time to get away from our busy schedules of everyday life- allow us to recharge physically, emotionally and spiritually.
One of the most precious rewards of getting away is having time to relax and to pray deeply. The Lord always rewards with a clarity and perspective about things that help simplify and inspire. We are also rejuventated and encouraged when we spend time with God.
The exercise in item 6 reminds us Jesus sought out quiet places for rest, sometimes alone, sometimes with his disciples. He went away regulary. He provides us with an excellent example of living life as the Father wants us to live - taking time regularly to rest amidst our ministry to others and life's responsibilities. While we know it requires us to remember our margins, saying No sometimes, we need to take advantage of the rest the Lord provides.
Jesus prayed when he retreated. He must have needed strength after long days of ministry and responding to so many people's needs. He knew he must reconnect with His Father. We need to pray too to stay connected, to abide in Christ and to continue growing in our relationship with Christ.
In our lessons we've learned that rest is a gift from the Lord. It's vital to our relationships with Christ that we take time regularly to pray and be still with Him. Do you see changes in your time with the Lord? Are they more regular, more meaningful?
Be encouraged in your seeking quiet time with the Lord. I hope you had an extended time this week to be still and know that God is God.
Let me know what meant the most to you about this lesson.
Blessings to you,
Paula
Lesson Ten Resting in Who He Is
ReplyDeleteThis lesson reminds us how important memorizing scripture is. As we discern Who God is through scripture study and memorization, we come to know Him better and learn He is a person who we can believe and trust. Having the Word in our hearts strengthens us and helps
us remain calm in the face of challenge.
I heard Beth Moore last week talking about how powerful combining scripture and prayer are. She encouraged us to pray scripture for our loved ones and in our life's situations. IF we memorize scripture, we can pray it anytime we want to. Praying scripture is a powerful attack against discouragement, fear, and confusion.
I enjoyed reading the scriptures in Question 4 about the relationship between obedience and rest. They make you want to stay right under God's feet, in the way!
And Question 6 was wonderful, looking at God's names as they reflect His character. So encouraging.
I hope you found two verses you want to commit to memory. I'm working on my verses - Job 22:21 and Hebrews 4:12. Let me know which ones you chose.
Thanks for sticking with the study. We only have two more weeks in our books. Hope to see you next Saturday, March 28 and Mugs and Muffins.
Blessings this week to you and your family.
Paula
Lesson Eleven - Resting in What He's Done
ReplyDeleteThis lesson asked us to stop and think about why we think it's difficult to trust God with everything. What are your thoughts about that? When I thought and prayed about this, I had to admit that sometimes I want to control too much and not leave things to the Lord, for His timing and for His will. I really had to confess that. Also, I realize that I'm impatient and want to know how things are going to happen NOW rather than wait on the Lord to work (in answer to the prayer's I've sent) in His timing. How's that for a so called Humble servant - Please, Lord, do this and would you do it NOW????? What an eye opener.
How has knowing what the Lord has done so important to strengthening your faith and resting in Him? We learn trust by being with the Lord and seeing what He does. I think that we'd like to think we trust the Lord and leave situations to His discretion and we do this because we're Christians and that's what Christians do. But in reality we learn trust. We learn to trust someone when we know how they act, because they've proved themselves faithful and trust worthy - another reason to get to know our Father intimately. As we experience God's faithfulness we trust more and rest in Him. It takes time. That's why this Chrisitan life is a journey - we grow as we move along our path and grow in our relationship with the Lord.
In Question 4, the verses show us that God does not lie, He does not change His mind. He speaks and acts and fulfills His promises.
He is merciful, He will not abandon nor destroy us nor forget us.
He is God, a faithful God keeping HIs covenent with us to a thousand generations of those who love Him.
He is not slow in keeping His promises, He is patient and does not want any to perish.
Wonderful illustrations of God's character!
Question 6 gives tells us more about God's faithfulness and gives us encouragement to trust and rest in Him more and more.
God's words are eternal established from the heavens, His faithfulness established the earth.
What God says He will bring about, What He says He will do.
God's love is unfailing, it will not be shaken nor His covenant of peace removed.
In Digging Deeper, how did you define faith? Share your thoughts and we'll all learn.
Take a few minutes to meditate on 1 John 3:1 "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are!!" Such rich words - great love, lavished, Children of God. You may want to write a prayer of gratitude in your journal after pondering these words. Or share your thoughts with us here.
I hope you enjoyed this week's lesson. We have one more to go and then we'll jump off to our next new leg of our journey.
Lesson Twelve Resting in What He Will Do
ReplyDeleteWell we've completed our last lesson. I have learned something about Rest each week. I hope you have. This week we explored faith - the subject of our next Bible Study - Believing God. How wonderfully God puts things together!
The verses in activity 5 were great - recording promises of God for us. I fell in love with Deuteronomy 33:12 (read the whole verse). What wonderful imagery!
"Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in Him for He shields him all day long.
and the one the LORD loves rests between His shoulders."
The lesson reflects the 1st half of the verse -a beautiful promise of security for those who rest in the LORD. Look at the 2nd half - it tells us the one the LORD loves rests between His shoulders. The question came to me "What does that mean, between His shoulders? In front or back of His shoulders? Then a beautiful revelation - BOTH! As we stand in back between His shoulders, He is our shield. As we stand in front of His shoulders, we are near His Heart, maybe with His big, mighty arms around us. How wonderful!
Digging Deeper - Isaiah 43:2: God has been faithful to us, He comforts us, provides loving direction and care. What keeps you holding on to God when you want to give up? For me, God's faithfulness to His promises over the years, His unfailing love. He's proved Himself to be God so many times. Also, I don't give up becuase Christianity is a calling for life. We can not give up, as Christ never gave up His calling. We follwo His example of preseverance, love and obedience to our Father. Ours is a calling to worship God and stay faithful to Him, even when we do not understand and are tired and weary from life. God is faithfully with us.
Devotion suggestion for next week: Set aside time to review your study, pray through some of the issues you've identified in these pages, maybe journal some of your concerns about being obedient to our Father's call to Rest in Him, make notes about what you are willing to discuss during our time together on April 18.
I hope you enjoyed this week as much as I did.
Love Paula
I agree with you, Paula, re the imagery of Deut. 33:12. There is no greater comfort in knowing that He goes before us and shelters us in His arms. He literally has us coming and going, if we trust in Him. When things happen that might catch me off-guard, I often find myself reminding Him that, "this didn't catch you by surprise, Lord". If I say I believe His word is true, then my attitude, my demeanor, my spirit, will be peaceful for His word says "let the beloved of the Lord rest SECURE in Him, for He shields them all day long. We say this not only when we have arrived at this point, but while we are on the journey as our faith in Him and His steadfast love and mercies is ever growing. Our relationship with Him is steadly deepening. As we grow in Him, we can confidently say and know that it is in Him that we find our complete rest, comfort, peace, and security.
ReplyDeleteGirls, I have withdrawn for a private sanctuary time with God, and just spent the last 30 minutes reading through the blog. Paula, thank you for your faithfulness to share your heart with us after every lesson. Unfortunately, after I finished each lesson, I never seemed to get around to the blog - which I now see was just as important as my individual study.
ReplyDeleteAs I have reviewed these lessons, I've tried to pull together a summary of the most important truths God has taught me through this study. First, I knew I needed to rest - the book just echoed for me what the Lord had already been showing me. That was the whole inspiration for the retreat in January. But, knowing and doing are two different things, so for me, God has used this study to give me the motivation and some ideas for "doing" the rest God has called me to enjoy.
Like for instance, the whole idea of Sabbath. God said the Sabbath was holy. The Hebrew word for holy means "set apart." So now, I have once again starting setting apart Sunday afternoons as "holy" for God and for me. This gives me extra time to rest, nap, and generally do nothing. I also set apart at least a portion of this time to read something inspirational that helps me just enjoy God, who He is, and what He has done.
Another major truth for me was the power of margins. I never realized how much wiggle room I need until I started allowing more time between projects. Using the computer so much everyday made me naturally think of a different kind of margins, which God impressed on me as an illustration of my life. In Microsoft Word the default left and right margins for a document are set at 1.25 inches. I think that's too much, so I reset mine to 1 inch. And when I have a full document, I reset them to .7 or .5 inch to give me extra space to squeeze in more words.
God showed me that He has set the default margins for my life. The margeins for all Christians are set on all sides by His Word. So in a sense we can operate "safely" anywhere within those general margins. But for me personally, God has set some other margins that govern my life, the situations I face, the schedule I keep, the spiritual gifts I exercise in ministry, the people that I love and have responsibility for, etc. I have learned that I am not superwoman and I'm tired of acting like I am. I don't need to squeeze in one more thing. So with God's help, I am seeing that God's power is in margins, His power is in rest, His power is in planning, and His power is in flexibility. for example,
I have set a goal to be through with Saturday's busyness and activities by 6pm so that I can spend some time with God preparing myself for Sunday's ministry and worship. I am ashamed to admit how many times I have been so exhausted on Sunday morning that I have been unable to enter into a true spirit of worship. The Jews prepared for Sabbath worship the day before so that their Sabbath was indeed holy. I need to learn their habit of Sabbath preparation.
The fine art of saying "no" was also a meaningful lesson to me. We saw in 1 Samuel 23 that David was in the habit of seeking God for direction before acting. Before committing to any ministry activity that will require a significant amount time and possibly overstress my schedule and margins,I must go to the Lord for His direction. When I am sure of his direction, then I will have His strength for accomplishing the service.
What I loved most about the "secret place" is that the door is always open when I need shelter and comfort or a safe place from the chaos of the world or a sanctuary from hurt and rejection. God has comforted me often with Psalm 31:19-20:
How great is Your goodness, which you have stored up for those (me) who fear You, which You have wrought for those (me) who take refuge in You, before the sons of men! You hide them (me) in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them (me) secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongies.
Psalm 91:1-4 also gives me the assurance of a secret hiding place in my God.
Although I could share many other truths God has taught me, I will share one final thought. Psalm 63:1 became the cry of my heat several years ago. O God, You are my God, I shall seek you earnestly (early); My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You. Practically, this verse holds a secret to resting in God. When I seek Him early - in life - in the day - in plans - in a problem or a crisis - then I can rest in Him, no matter how serious the situation because He will keep me in perfect peace when my mind is stayed on Him and trusts in Him. Is. 26:3. That is real spiritual rest!
Blessings,
Linda
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