A Place of Rest
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Terry R. Baughman
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28–29).
Rest is required for us all. The physiological composition of humanity dictates that all have an appropriate time of rest to replenish and restore after expending energy. Lives are cyclical. There are times of action, exertion, and productivity, but these periods must also be followed by a commensurate time of rest, relaxation, and recuperation.
The pattern of creativity and rest was given in the beginning. In six days God made all of creation, then on the seventh day God rested. If one who has all power in heaven and earth would take a break after six days of action, then we should also make rest a priority in our schedule of activity. Under the Law one of the commandments was to observe and keep the Sabbath day. From the pattern of creation we are well-advised to take one day a week to recharge our batteries and fulfill our need for rest.
Western culture is sometimes chaotic. Though we have more conveniences and labor saving devices we continue to lead stress-filled lives and experience the compulsion to be active continually. As we experience more and more pressure it seems that we accomplish less and less. Our productivity is diminished by our continual need to appear busy so we claim to be multitasking while only halfway accomplishing many tasks and failing to complete the most important needs.
Sometimes we must call a time out and exit the cyclical rat race for a time of respite. Stop the chaos. Cease the chase. Unplug the technology. Soak in the silence. Find rest in the realm of the Spirit. In those times you will find spiritual refreshing. Jesus called us to relationship and in that relationship we will find rest for our souls. “Come to Me,” Jesus said, “all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
The Holy Spirit was given that we might enjoy the rest and the refreshing of God in us. The prophet predicted a day of divine deliverance, ecstatic experience, and spiritual rest. “For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, To whom He said, ‘This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,’ And, ‘This is the refreshing’” Isaiah 28:11-12). The greatest relief from our stress-filled lives will be found in the New Birth experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Home should be a place of rest. It takes some effort to create an environment for relaxation. Find the things that bring peace in life and fill the home with them. Play spiritual music. Control the media that is displayed. Establish rules for disagreements. Don’t allow screaming, physical violence, disrespect, and vulgarity in the home. Let home be a refuge from the madness and chaos of culture. Make the threshold at each door the barrier from the spirit of the world, and establish a God zone within the walls of the house. Protect home and family. It is a sanctuary of peace and a safe place of rest!
Scripture:
“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts” (Acts 2:46 NIV).
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Terry R. Baughman
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28–29).
Rest is required for us all. The physiological composition of humanity dictates that all have an appropriate time of rest to replenish and restore after expending energy. Lives are cyclical. There are times of action, exertion, and productivity, but these periods must also be followed by a commensurate time of rest, relaxation, and recuperation.
The pattern of creativity and rest was given in the beginning. In six days God made all of creation, then on the seventh day God rested. If one who has all power in heaven and earth would take a break after six days of action, then we should also make rest a priority in our schedule of activity. Under the Law one of the commandments was to observe and keep the Sabbath day. From the pattern of creation we are well-advised to take one day a week to recharge our batteries and fulfill our need for rest.
Western culture is sometimes chaotic. Though we have more conveniences and labor saving devices we continue to lead stress-filled lives and experience the compulsion to be active continually. As we experience more and more pressure it seems that we accomplish less and less. Our productivity is diminished by our continual need to appear busy so we claim to be multitasking while only halfway accomplishing many tasks and failing to complete the most important needs.
Sometimes we must call a time out and exit the cyclical rat race for a time of respite. Stop the chaos. Cease the chase. Unplug the technology. Soak in the silence. Find rest in the realm of the Spirit. In those times you will find spiritual refreshing. Jesus called us to relationship and in that relationship we will find rest for our souls. “Come to Me,” Jesus said, “all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
The Holy Spirit was given that we might enjoy the rest and the refreshing of God in us. The prophet predicted a day of divine deliverance, ecstatic experience, and spiritual rest. “For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, To whom He said, ‘This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,’ And, ‘This is the refreshing’” Isaiah 28:11-12). The greatest relief from our stress-filled lives will be found in the New Birth experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Home should be a place of rest. It takes some effort to create an environment for relaxation. Find the things that bring peace in life and fill the home with them. Play spiritual music. Control the media that is displayed. Establish rules for disagreements. Don’t allow screaming, physical violence, disrespect, and vulgarity in the home. Let home be a refuge from the madness and chaos of culture. Make the threshold at each door the barrier from the spirit of the world, and establish a God zone within the walls of the house. Protect home and family. It is a sanctuary of peace and a safe place of rest!
Scripture:
“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts” (Acts 2:46 NIV).
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