Slowing down isn’t a natural skill of mine–though since my burnout I guess I’ve had a crash course on the topic. I’m a do-er, and I’d much rather be accomplishing stuff than resting.
This is often how I’ve lived my life of faith too. Throughout Scripture God pleads with us to “rest in Him” as His “yolk is easy” and His “burden is light”. Regardless, I’ve felt most comfortable doing things for God, storing up treasures in Heaven, and making sure the steps of growth are bigger than the steps back. It’s a lot of work to keep up with, but like I said, I’d rather be accomplishing stuff than resting. Isn’t that typical human nature? Though trying to live a life worthy of God isn’t wrong, it’s crazy to think we can ever do anything to impress Him!
Thankfully, it’s not up to us to work for God’s affection–Jesus (God visited earth as a man named Jesus [A.K.A. the Christ or the Messiah]) took care of all that.
Romans 5:6, 8-10 says, “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. […] God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”
It doesn’t say “while I was getting my life together”, or “while I was seeking spiritual answers”, or “while I was pleasing God”. It says while I was weak…while I was sinning…while I was God’s enemy. It’s not because I try hard or do my best. It’s not in remembering a list of rules. God loved me in my mess and made me right with Him anyway.
Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”
Wow, what a gift. For all of us used to doing (and may I add, doing too much?), this may seem unreal. Does it really say, “And this is not your own doing”? Fortunately, yes. Salvation isn’t something you work for, it’s a gift you receive.
How easy is it to receive this gift? The Bible says in Romans 10:9, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” It’s that easy. You can live in the peace of knowing you are right with God and you can have hope because the life He gives will never die. You can truly rest!
I hope you can take some time this Easter to refresh and pray. Let me know if you have any thoughts or questions! Thanks for reading.
God bless,
