Finding Rest in God

I thrive when I’m surrounded by people. Hearing their ideas, stories, laughter and being with them through their highs and lows truly shows me Jesus in ways I never realised I could see Him.

Recently, however, I have realised that even the most extroverted of us need to spend time alone to recharge. By time alone, I don’t just mean mindlessly watching Netflix for 8 hours, with no socialisation and just chilling out. We – yes, that includes all you extroverts – need to spend time alone with God.

Last week I was on camp and some of the dedicated time to spend with God was taken up by organisational tasks. It only took two days of being surrounded by people for me, a very extroverted person, to break. At that breaking point I realised that what I needed to cope wasn’t time spent in isolation mindlessly scrolling through social media or taking a nap, but rather spiritual rest by submitting myself to God and sitting in His presence.

Now you might be saying, that’s great Caitlin but what about everyday life? And you would be right. Camp is not everyday life. In the hustle and bustle of doing things and getting caught up with schoolwork and sports and job commitments finding rest can seem even harder than in the ‘camp bubble’. This experience made me realise how I very rarely take time to rest in God in my everyday life.

Take this morning for example, I didn’t wake up and go workout like I had planned but I still could have woken up and spent time resting in God’s presence before a busy day ahead. Instead I slept late and rushed through the morning trying to read my bible on the go while having breakfast. This, dear sister, does not fill the cup.

I want you to know that even on busy days when it seems like stopping to spend time with God will just put you behind on everything you have to do, that rest will actually help you.

It is written in the word, God is our rest from works (Hebrews 4:10), rest when we are weary (Matthew 11:28) and He will give us rest (Exodus 33:14).

Finding rest in God is not easy. It is an act of submission, trust and obedience that requires strength only God can give. We all fall into the trap of thinking we can run this race without God. I’m here to remind you that none of us can.

I really encourage you to find time to practice taking rest in God. Pray for Him to lift you and show you how to rest in Him.

I will be right there with you praying that He helps me too.

Love and Blessings,

Caitlin xo