Presence and Rest

I have written several times about rest, which seems to be an ongoing theme from Father for me in this season of life.  An important dimension of our relationship with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is being in a place to receive, enter into intimacy, and let go of things that keep us from communion with Him.  Since we were saved not by our own striving, effort, or achievements advancing into deeper intimacy is also by grace.  Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus gives a powerful invitation, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

I have noticed that there are so many dynamics that can keep us from entering a place of rest and living from this place of being at home in the Father's love.  One dynamic is that when our soul (mind, will, and emotions) experience pressure than our will tends to default to the negative.  Learning to live in a place of rest in the Presence of God allows our soul to be at peac and then we can receive from God, be refreshed, be renewed, and allow Him to heal our souls.

Many doctors are realizing the damaging affects of stress but stress is not directly related to our circumstances, relationships, or roles in life as it is connected to how our soul processes things in our life.  We are first spiritual beings designed to relate to God and then relational being designed to connect to one another and finally physical being designed to relate to our environment.  When this order of priorities is not followed then our soul comes into a place of stress and stress has an affect not only on my relationships but also on my physical body.

It is easy to become stressed, worried, or anxious about things in life.  Especially when I am living as an orphan believing I have to handle everything.  Resting in Father's Presence, allowing Him to pour in His love, grace, peace, and hope is powerful to remind me that life is about relationship.  Soaking is a powerful way to do this by simply putting on quiet worship/soaking music and letting go of working, striving, or doing anything else in that moment.  I believe I have so much to learn when it comes to learning to be in a place of rest but I choose not to be stressed because my Father will get me there.

Resting in Father's Presence,
Bret