Find Your Perfect Rest

There is a memory that I will take to my grave. It is a memory that is embedded into my mind and every time I think of peace and rest, this image reappears in my mind’s eye. When my son was very young, he had tummy issues and would wake up in the early hours screaming in pain. I would go into his room, roll him over on his belly across my legs and gently pat and rub his back. Slowly, the gas would work its way out and he would calm down. As the pain settled and he calmed down, I would swaddle him in his blanket, gently rock him and stroke his hair. When his eyes started to slowly close, his breathing deepened into a contented rhythm and a small smile replaced the stressed features, there was peace and rest. That peaceful state, the look of utter contentment, meant he was at rest and, in my heart, I also found rest. For what seemed like hours, I watched as he rested in my arms and was always amazed at the trust he had in me in his time of distress and in his time of rest.

Cleland B. McAfee wrote a beautiful song in 1903 called “Near to the Heart of God”:

There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God;
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.

O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God;
Hold us, who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.

We have just come through a season of seclusion and separation. The darkness has shifted and the light of hope now shines ever brighter. Through it all, one thing remained constant; He was with us all the way. God’s message for us all during this past year and a half; rest in Me.

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.

Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Ps 46:1-3 NLT

Let us all take time to rest in His Word, in His promise. Let us find peace and safety in His promise. As the protocols change, the restrictions are lifted and some semblance of normality prevails, peace should flow back into our lives. There is a deeper love and a deeper peace. God wraps us in His arms, swaddles us, He brings comfort to our souls and rejoices when He sees the peace in our faces as we settle into His arms. He is our perfect refuge, our infinite strength and, when the time comes, the Author of our perfect eternal rest in Glory.

This Sunday, we are grateful that we can gather with a few more people than last week. This Sunday, we are grateful that we can gather with a few more people than last week. We invite you to join us either in person at 10:30 AM Sunday or online at:

Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/main.ave.31

YouTube Live – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs9LIkN_QTdVM6eVXEgy9QA

We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com