Rest In Peace...

Rest In Peace is a term commonly used in funerals or at graveside ceremonies, but shouldn’t it apply to our daily lives, too?  Shouldn’t we rest in peace every night? Every Sabbath day? Wouldn’t we wake up with more energy and confidence?  The Bible encourages us, saying, “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God.”  (Hebrews 4:9, NIV) Hebrews 4 is dedicated to the concept of rest.  I’ll never forget a very successful businessman who came up to me one day after church. We became good friends, but I couldn’t help but see the stress and anxiety that seemed to ooze out of his pores. I felt a burden for him. I prayed and decided to ask him a few questions. It didn’t take long to figure out the problem: he wasn’t taking a weekly day of rest. Working hard six days a week requires one day of rest dedicated to God, rest, the Word and relationships. Leviticus 23:3 clearly commands: “There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a sabbath to the Lord.” (NIV) A sabbath is like a tithe: you will make more money, keep more money and be healthier if you do both. It just requires a little faith and obedience.  friend, have you discovered the secret of getting more by working less and giving some away? It’s truly incredible. I learned this the hard way; I burned out at the age of 26. I had started my first counseling center, then I accepted a position to be a youth pastor. On my day off, I started another center. It was exciting, but I woke up one morning and couldn’t go to work. I was toast.  I asked God, “What’s going on? Why do I feel this way?” God spoke to my mind and gave me this thought: “You’re not exercising or taking a sabbath day rest.” I instituted these standards over 30 years ago, and I’ve never burned out since. In fact, I’ve learned to do more with less time and money.  friend, I’m praying you learn the sabbath day rest and practice it weekly. Enter into the rest that will give you peace.  Because you’re a miracle.