This week I am writing at Velvet Ashes on God’s invitation to trade in the idea of self care for a lifestyle of leaning into and resting in His sustaining care. (You can read the full post by following the link at the end of this post.)
The Velvet Ashes post includes these primary points in shifting from a perspective of circumstantial rest to Jesus being ever-present as Rest in me.
- A deepening trust in God’s good and kind heart.
- Growing in understanding how to live in hesed.
- Realizing my sense of wellbeing is only part of the equation.
- Paying attention when God says stop and receive.
- A fresh richness in dwelling in Jesus as He dwells in me.
Following are a few additional thoughts that wouldn’t fit in my Velvet Ashes post.
Viewing God as a God of rhythms.
Western cultures tend to think in terms of work and play. The model Jesus’ disciples lived was more complex. After being sent to do God’s work, we see a rhythm of returning to Jesus, reporting, realigning, and rest.
On our trek toward rest, it’s honoring to our souls to take a time out to report to Jesus, to reflect on what happened out there so we can realign our heart and mind with truth. Daily, we can ground our souls in the reflective practice of Examen and seasonally through debriefing.
Stepping into the unknown with eyes focused on Jesus.
Don’t you love the story of Jesus inviting Peter to step into the chaos one dark stormy night and there Jesus met him? Not in the boat. Not with feet planted on the shore. In the chaos of crashing waves, Peter’s peace and safety came at the moment Peter was drowning and Jesus grabbed him.
It’s the same for us. Jesus’ careful grip won’t fail when we willingly and wholeheartedly answer God’s invitation to enter into the fray.
Jesus is welcome to erase my margins whenever He wants because in return I get an impartation of Himself as my Rest and my Strength!
His presence is what I most need for my well being.
Abiding provides everything I need for my wellbeing.
In John 14-16, Jesus outlines all He has in store for His followers as we dwell in Him and He dwells in us.
- joy, peace, comfort, connectedness, belonging
- confidence in being chosen and loved
- fruitfulness in our labors and in our beings
- understanding truth and God’s ways
- friendship and fellowship in sharing in His sufferings
God is my helper and ally. The Lord is the sustainer of my soul. Ps 54:4 AMP
http://velvetashes.com/i-am-done-with-self-care-the-grove-rest/