Make Rest Normal Againg

Intro- working in ithaca and running out of gas story.

Most of our lives are too fast-paced, too unfocused, and are centered around things other than Jesus.

Burnout is not a badge of honor and hustle is not the same as holiness.

As long as we remain enslaved to a culture of speed, superficiality, and distraction, we will not be the people God longs for us to be.

-Rich Villodas

Rest should not be a luxury in our life, it should be a necessity.

The word rested in Genesis 2 is shabat in Hebrew, where we get the word Sabbath. It essentially means “to stop” or “cease” or “be complete,” but it can also be translated “to celebrate.”

Resting is an act of worship saying, God you are enough and you are in control.

The New International Version (Psalm 62)

1 Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.3 How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down—this leaning wall, this tottering fence?4 Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies.With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. 5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.9 Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie.If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.10 Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.11 One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard:“Power belongs to you, God,12 and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.”

True rest is only possibly with God and from God.

Matthew

The New International Version (Chapter 11)

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Rest helps us reset pace, refocus our mind, and recenter our hearts on Jesus.

Reset your pace to a pace of grace.

You cannot hustle your way to heaven.

“Corrie ten Boom once said that if the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy. There’s truth in that. Both sin and busyness have the exact same effect—they cut off your connection to God, to other people, and even to your own soul.”

-John Mark Comer

Refocus your mind on things that bring you life in Jesus.

Colossians

The New International Version (Chapter 3)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Recenter your heart on Jesus, because He is all we need.