Sabbath-Rest

I have a problem sleeping. My mind races and I just struggle to shut it down. I am currently in the midst of one of my worst stretches with this problem in quite some time. It is no secret to me that there is really only one cause to this problem and it is ME. Sure, I have a lot going on and there are some “stress” points but I am well aware that running them through my mind in the middle of the night doesn’t solve anything.

I’m not exactly sure when I began to struggle with this, but one thing I know is that it wasn’t when I was a little boy.  I believe the primary reason I didn’t worry in those days was simply “I didn’t worry." I know – what a blessing that circular logic is Nick! The thing about those days was that I just didn’t worry. I knew that I was in the care of my family and I had a “child-like faith” in my God. My place was defined and I “rested” in it confidently.

I knew that my primary identities in life were places of security, care and love. I was a member of Gary and Karen Mundis' family and I was a Child of God. I was very aware that nothing would come my way that my family and God wouldn’t get me through. Jesus loved me so much He died for me and God Almighty said I could refer to Him as “Daddy." And if my Father in Heaven loved me even better than my daddy that played with me then all was really quite good.

What has changed? Nothing really, except me.

This is why God keeps inviting me and commanding me back to Sabbath-Rest. A set in stone weekly reminder is needed due to my tendency to doubt, fear and forget. I sometimes try to run out on my own and claim more of a “God identity” than my Child of God identity that is pure gift. I tend to think I know better than God or that I know how things should all play out and when they differ from that I freak out!

Obeying the Third Commandment and “Keeping the Sabbath” is both the same as always and different from the time of the Exodus. It is the same, in that we turn again to focus on the God who created us in worship and confidence as we rest, because He knows just what we need. And it is different in that it is fulfilled in Jesus Christ so that it becomes an eternal reality. Hebrews four tells us that Jesus’ brings a “better rest” than what was available before. In fact, all the previous descriptions of rest find their ultimate goal completed in Jesus.

So, I am invited to rest just like I used to – confident that God is God and He will take care of it! He has been faithful and He will continue to be faithful. Trust God to know what we need.

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.”

                                                                                                Exodus 20.8

Resting, even when I struggle to sleep,
Pastor Nick