Reflections on Rest and Trust

For the Christian, to rest is an act of trust.

The sabbath as an individual or community expression makes the bold statement to the world that God is in control.  It says that our efforts can be put on hold for a day because of the knowledge that it is, in fact, He who will bring everything to completion and fruition.

To take on a lifestyle of rest is to stand in stark opposition to the culture of business that consumes much of the world (secular and Christian).  The sovereignty of God allows for the freedom to leave anxiety behind and walk in peace at all times knowing that the rule and reign of God remains uninterrupted no matter what we do or don’t do.

If you think this is dangerous you are absolutely right.  It is dangerous to our pride.  Our pride that says if I don’t do something then nothing is going to happen.  It is dangerous to our imperfect motivations that lead to religiously acting out our devotion so fervently that we ignore the need to respond out of relationship to God.  This is not an excuse for inaction, but there is definitely a major shift when our motivation to act moves from fear to trust.  A movement from the fear of falling out of grace to trusting that the grace that saved us is strong enough to carry us to maturity as we learn to follow Christ. It is a movement towards relationship. Not in an abstract way, but a real relationship in which a mutual trust begins to grow between us and the Almighty.  As we invest in trusting Him, our actions will come out of the humbling reality that He has lovingly chosen us and trusts we who love Him to partner as co-labors to carry out His work in the world.

How does Jesus love you?

Have you ever reflected on how Jesus loves you?  In other words, have you ever considered the specific ways and methods he uses to display his affections for you personally?  When you care for someone you generally don’t give them gifts that they don’t like. Hopefully, you try to find ways to show them your love that are significant to them.  If you are in any sort of meaningful relationship you probably put effort into figuring out how to bring joy into the life of the other person.

Those of us who are Christians are in a very real relationship with Jesus, and it’s not just about us showing our care for him.  It’s also learning to acknowledge and appreciate the many ways he shows his care for us.  Foundationally it’s an appreciation for the cross and the empty tomb, which are the greatest expression of love.  In addition to that I believe there are ways he displays his love to us as specific individuals.  In small ways, Jesus shows his love to me differently than to you – because he knows me intimately.

I’m on a mission to help other people realize what those displays of love from Jesus look like in their lives.  As part of that quest I’m fishing for examples from friends and peers.  So how does Jesus love you?  What ways does he display his affections in your life that you appreciate but others might not?