What Will Rest Look Like?

There are times when I feel so very tired. This week was one of those. I wasn't physically tired until my emotional weariness started settling in to my soul. It made me restless and I fought sleep. I was mentally exhausted, spiritually drained even. I was not completely spent like I have found myself in the past but I could feel myself heading that way. Digging deep and reaching out, I am finding strength.
Today I found a jewel at SheLove Magazine by Helen Burns. You can read it here. Such wisdom for all of us about taking on too much. I love this (okay, I loved it all but this stuck out): 
"Be a branch. Jesus is the Vine and I am simply a branch. Apart from Him, I can produce nothing. It serves the purpose of my life well to disconnect from everything else but never from Him who is my life. This demands being intentional about rest, recovery, restoration, replenishment, refueling which, in turn, will produce a personal revival."
Our home is located in a valley with beautiful vineyards in all directions. I don't have to look far to find vines loaded with beautiful grapes. As you walk up and down the rows there are two things thing that are true about each vine:
The grapes only grow off of the branches that are attached.
The branches aren't working at making fruit. The fruit is a natural outcome of abiding on the vine.
Those of us who consider ourselves part of the church must remember that we are called to rest in Him. If who have answered the call to follow Christ, you must be careful to abide. The fruit will come naturally. It is not our job to produce the fruit. Even in ministry, we need to be reminded to draw in before giving out.
Helen issued this invitation: "I want to invite you, also, to be intentional about finding rest and peace for your soul–to embrace Sabbath rest into your life."

Psalms 62:1 I wait quietly before God,

    for my victory comes from him.

2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,

    my fortress where I will never be shaken.

There is a challenge to take a 24 hour sabbatical from the internet to seek rest in Him. The assignment is to write and share about it after. I decided that this would be my before picture and when I am done, you can be sure I will share my after.
Read more about this challenge at SheLoves Magazine. I hope you'll join me!
Always,


Hope