School's Out

While, for my daughter and other undergraduate students, classes have been done for the semester for a few weeks, this week marks the end of another school year for my sons.  A friend who is an elementary school teacher began counting down the weeks of this semester over a month ago.  Most students and teachers welcome the final bell.  It's not (at least, I hope) because they really dislike education, whether teaching or learning.  But, rather, because everyone needs a break.  Bodies and minds need rest.  

While the Omnipotent One needs no rest, He, according to Genesis chapter two, rested.  Why did God, who neither slumbers nor sleeps, rest?  To set an example for those He created.

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Genesis 2:1-3 (NIV)
Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.  By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.  Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

When we look forward another two chapters, we find an interesting (and disheartening) description of Cain's post-murder-of-Abel existence.

Genesis 4:12-14 (NIV)
"When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.”  Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”

Did you see it?  Twice the word "restless" appears.  Cain, according to God and Cain, would be a restless wanderer.  

While Jesus came and set things right, undoing the sin of Adam, Eve, Cain, and all the rest of us, too many people continue to live as if they bear the mark of Cain.  They live in a continual state of restlessness. 

How can you find rest?

1. Sleep in Peace.

No, I don't mean die!

Psalm 4:8 (NIV)
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Start removing restlessness with sleep.

2. Reject your Worries.

One of the top rest killers is anxiety.  Worry will keep you up longer than blue-lighted screens.  So cast them on God because He loves you.

Matthew 6:33-34 (NIV)
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

3. Schedule Wisely.

Work diligently.  Play intentionally.  Schedule rest.

4. Slow Down.

Learn when and how to say, "No, I can't fit that in right now."

God wants your everyday, ordinary life.  Such a life will be of much more use to Him when it is restful.  Restlessness contains less.

#ordinarylives

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