Rest Well

Anyone can start, but not everyone will finish.

Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

This weekend I was intentionally slow and restful, this is a challenge for me but I felt the Lord guiding me to set down my phone and take a break from social media so I, reluctantly at first, obeyed. Over the course of the weekend I had some amazing moments with the Lord and experienced His love in new deep ways. My tendency is to want to push harder to reach bigger goals and as my goals and visions for my life grow, I am learning that rest is actually becoming more important. I am being asked to serve more, this requires greater reliance of the Lord and trust in Him as I learn to honour rest.

Physically this is playing out for me in the fitness program I am working through right now. I am committed to working out 6 days a week and the workouts are anywhere from 45-55 mins. This is long for me compared to my regular 30 minute workouts. I am building muscle and endurance and for me to show up in these workouts with focus, its requiring I learn how to rest more.

I believe I am capable of achieving high levels of success, I believe I am on the right path, I believe I have a plan in front of me that will produce great rewards and rest, recovery and play needs to be a part of that plan. We often hear entrepreneurs say they choose working for themselves because they get to make their own hours but that doesn’t always translate in their calendars. They are run by their work and their personal life and or health suffers for the success of their business. I want to create great impact in the world while also honouring my faith and self care, these are things I am not willing to sacrifice on the journey. I also don’t think my incorporation of rest and play is going to delay my progress to success, I believe it will propel me forward.

This is a big breakthrough for me because a few years ago when faced with the need to rest, I would either ignore it to the point of burnout and give up on my current pursuit, thinking I was mixed up in Gods calling on my life. News flash, I am human and while yes the Lord has called me and equipped me, my body is human and needs to rest. If you have hit a wall and you feel like throwing in the towel all together, I wonder if perseverance simply looks like taking a break. If you are like me, I am right there with you in the struggle of resting and trusting God in that rest. I am sharing this message with you today as an encouragement, that the the rejuvenation that will follow Gods call for you to rest, is more than you could do on your own.

To all my discipled and dedicated women out there, sometimes living well is honouring rest. This does not mean you are less than or giving up, it means you are believing God for more than you can do on your own. Don’t grow weary and lose heart, just take a break.

Lead the life you were made to live.

xoxo Heather