Do you Need Rest?

Just recently had the blessing of leading a retreat for some AMAZING women from Westwood Baptist Church at a beautiful camp in Dayton TN (Fort Bluff Camp for your info).
It’s funny because the theme was Immeasurably more… and I knew God was going to lead to me teach on the Israelite’s journey to their more, which was the  promised land.
But on Thursday night  several women were coming up for a bonus night.  I was also to teach this bonus session.

As I prayed, I sensed the Lord overwhelmingly whisper teach on rest.  
I argued with God a bit, as the theme was not rest, but immeasurably more.   

And I wondered if I was thinking that theme because I was tired.

I do not get tired very often, but I was tired due to going  full force.  Doing things I love and are my dream calling– like traveling for 2 1/2 weeks back to Nepal (what a gift that was), then traveling straight to New Orleans to lead some training for the Reach Global International Crisis Relief staff (which was also an incredible gift), then straight to teach another retreat.

But as I spoke on rest,  it was evident this was from the Lord.
It was almost like as a whole, even just speaking the word REST over those ladies  brought a chance for all of us  to take a deep breath, pause, and breath again. Many began to recognize how weary they were. 

Is your soul weary?  I think often our souls get weary because we are so busy battling soul lies.  

Lies like you aren’t enough (which we aren’t but because of the glorious grace of God we don’t have to be)
You failed so therefore you are a failure
You forgot that school event– you should never been able to call yourself a mother
You had that thought–how could you be a Christian

Or our soul is weary from trying to be everything to everyone.
Or our soul is weary because we are just plumb busy, or because our kiddos’ wont sleep or we have to many things on our to-do-list.

Or a mixture of all the above.
Recently a sheep  named Chris made the news.

(image taken from www.businessinsider.com)

Chris was an overgrown sheep who had wandered away from his shepherd.  Because of that his poor little coat had grown and grown and grown.  

He  had damaged hooves from the weight.  He could no longer see because the wool over his eyes.  If He continued without the shepherd He would die.

Someone found Him.
A shepherd came.
Sheared off all those extra burdens.

He was set free.

We have a shepherd of our souls we offers to shear off our extra burdens.  
Psalms 23 The Lord is our shepherd.  We shall not be in want.
He makes us lie down in GREEN pastures.

When I taught the Lord gave me an acrostic.  I realize acrostics can be sort of cheesy. But I really liked this one.  
Recognize who God is
Enter into His presence
Silence the lies of the enemy
Trust the truth

Resting in who God is allows us to rest in the work He is doing.
Resting in His presence allows us to  experience His power.
Silencing the lies of the enemy by trusting the truth of who God is and who He says we are allows us to experience STILLNESS.

We ended that session by asking each other what is keeping you from resting?

My friend I ask you what is keeping you from resting?

Ps:   just so you know I took today off and have stayed at home all day. I have not been home the entire month of September. So my rest today included staying home, making a pot of homemade chicken soup and resting in His presence.

Also:  Looking for some soul rest? Be sure to join us for one of our two Bloom conference options in October.  Click  here   for more information about the Bloom Conference.  

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