I don’t use the word ‘deserve’
lightly, but, in the context of the rest, our souls we’re designed to find rest
in this life, not just in the next.
But what is rest? It isn’t a lot of
things. It isn’t laziness, for indeed, the soul rests content having worked out
of rest.
No soul ‘deserves’ rest as a
demand, but the need of a soul to rest is indisputable.
Each soul determines the shape of
its own need, but each soul has a common need.
We go so long without rest that
achieving it is more difficult than it should be.
Perhaps we have forgotten our need,
let alone how to rest.
Maybe we were born in a time when
rest is so foreign.
I phrase these as gentle
possibilities, for that is the language our minds and hearts crave.
Simple one-liners so our minds can
focus on a solitary concept at a time.
Here is a plea for what is
possible:
Dear God of
creation,
Lord of our
rest,
You know
that without it,
We cannot be at our best.
Gentle Presence
of Spirit,
Our Lord on
high,
Help us be
honest,
So we do not deny.
Give composure
to us each,
In accord
with our being,
Give us Your
capacity,
Lord of our seeing.
Gentle
Presence of God,
Whether we
allow or contend,
Continue
being patient,
Even as we pretend.
Gentle yet
persuasive God,
Persistent Voice
of Reason,
Bring us
each to a place,
Of surrender in this season.
Holy Spirit
of truth,
Definer of
peace,
Be now our
promise,
Make space for release.
The fruit of our labour is
something to savour, but, when all’s said and done, rest is best.
To give ourselves rest is to return
to God that which can never be taken away.
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