Rest by Rachael Groll

Go getter.  Goal crusher.  Self starter.  Strong finisher. 

My reputation preceded me.  The reason I was usually put on a task was that people knew I would get it done.  I wish I could say that stigma didn’t define me, but the truth was I liked it.  There was some level of pride in knowing that I was seen as someone who would follow through and do a good job.  I think in some ways, we can all relate.  As women, we tend to neglect ourselves and our own needs for the sake of others.  Because I had done this for quite some time, I didn’t realize it when it was catching up to me.  I found myself unable to rest on a Sunday afternoon after church.  The house was clean, dinner was prepped, the laundry is done, but the restlessness remained.  It’s not that I don’t enjoy rest.  In fact, I have always struggled with liking it too much.  Perhaps that was part of the reason I always find myself denying the fact that I need it. 

As I was contemplating my coming week, getting ready to make some reminder phone calls, the Lord spoke to me in a very clear way.

“Come away with me.”

I would love it if I could say that I immediately responded with a “Yes, Lord.”  But the reality is, I hesitated.  My first thought was my list of things I needed to get done for me to have a productive week of serving Him.  Seriously?  What was wrong with me?  As I thought through my reaction, I realized how foolish I was being.  Again came the still, small voice. 

“Come away with me.” 

“Yes, Lord.”  Convicted, I settled onto the couch, Bible in hand.  I started reading through the Psalms and came to a place that caused me to stop and read again. 

"Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10 NASB

Cease striving. That word striving comes from the Greek word machē, meaning “to fight.”  The emotion behind that word…. fighting… striving… perfectly summed up my heart.  Always looking for the next thing that needed to be done in my work for the Lord.  I often repeat the words, “Every Moment Matters.”  While this is certainly true, I had used that sentiment to enter into a somewhat unhealthy place for me.  The very fact that I hesitated when the Lord called proved that I was focusing more on the fight than the one who called me to the battle in the first place.  Convicted, my heart responded with the realization that God reminded me that HE has already won this battle.  Yes, He has called me.  And yes, I am to walk in obedience.  But part of that obedience means allowing myself to realize that I am not in this fight alone.  And neither are you. 

Be Blessed,

Rachael