He Finished It and I Can Rest

Nothing in my life ever seems to be finished. Not the laundry, my the house chores, the myriad of undone projects. Nothing is ever finished so I can’t really rest. I say I’m resting but my brain is always working. I can’t fully enjoy the things I should because I’m always distracted by all that I should be doing. This past Sunday our pastor preached a sermon on Sabbath. He talked about how we can experience God’s rest. It’s not just a nice idea, it’s a necessity.

But how do we experience the rest of God, how can we really have Sabbath? The answer my pastor provided surprised me. In order to experience rest we need to experience and acknowledge the completed work of Christ on the cross. It was simple, yet also incredibly complicated. In my busyness I have become self-sufficient, or at least behave like I am. Resting acknowledges that I know I am not in control and that He is. To quote my pastor “Sabbath is a symbol of God’s sufficiency.”

Sabbath rest is supposed to be a time of freedom. How can we be free when there is so much undone work? First of all, rest can be part of that work. Some of it is in our attitudes. I know I am constantly going through my week feeling harried and at loose ends. I can’t always choose what happens to me, but I can choose how I respond. I can lean on him. I can remind myself of his ultimate sacrifice that was completed on the cross. That’s right, completed. I don’t have to work for it. My service is an honor and privilege. A thank you directed to my savior. But it can never match or add to his work, because guess what? It’s finished.

I also need to find moments of deliberate inactivity. When my pastor said this, I kind of wanted to laugh out loud. Inactivity? Has he been at my house recently, I have two small kids, there is no room for inactivity. But the truth is I can find moments of stillness in my crazy day. In the shower, after the kids are in bed, before they wake up. The issue is quieting my soul and mind enough to experience these moments. To enter into His rest. Because He has begun a good work in my life and I believe He will complete it. I need to stop living like it’s my job to make the world go round. He’s got it covered. He finished it, so I can rest. Now I need to lay down my oars and let him steer.