Hebrews 4:9-11
So there is a full complete rest still
waiting for the people of God. Christ has already entered there. He is
resting from his work, just as God did after the creation. Let us do our
best to go into that place of rest, too, being careful not to disobey
God as the children of Israel did, thus failing to get in.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
It’s been a school year for
the books in Arkansas. Countless public schools missed as much as two
weeks or more of scheduled attendance days due to winter snow and ice
storms. Even with Saturday make-ups and cancellation of holiday breaks,
the only option for many to get in all of the requisite days was to
extend the school year into June. So in my community, “School’s Out for
Summer” won’t happen for a few more days – and everyone is more than
ready!
These teachers and students realize that they have a job
to do…and that this is the means to an end. They must fulfill the
requirements set forth by the state Department of Education and attend
the minimum number of days the law demands. Then they can do something
else…rest, relax, and play…work at a summer job…attend summer school or a
camp…travel, and more.
A restful break is important for teachers
and students. Both need time to mentally and physically unwind…to do
something a little different…even if that means a summer job or
attending classes. The “change of scenery” is healthy and enables each
person to regain focus when school resumes in the late summer/fall. In
this instance, the “summer break” fulfills a goal…it enables students
and teachers to “regroup” so that they can give their very best effort
in the weeks and months when school recommences.
In life itself,
many of us are weary. Events and circumstances have come together to
cause a particular situation to “run long”…and we are in serious need of
rest and respite. How many times have you asked yourself, “Will this
never end?” Have you ever wondered how much longer you could endure a
particular situation? Have you longed for “light at the end of the
tunnel”? Are you running on fumes…physically, mentally or spiritually?
In
Hebrews 4, we see that God offers us rest…both now, and for all
Eternity. We are promised complete rest in Him when we get to Heaven.
As born-again believers in Jesus Christ, we are guaranteed a forever
place of peace at His feet when our earthly journey ends. But we are
also offered rest and respite in this lifetime - a “summer break” of
sorts. We can rest in the LORD…here and now. We can give Him our
burdens…our frustrations…our challenges…our weariness. We can say,
“Father, I cannot do this by myself. But with YOUR strength and power, I
know anything is possible.” We have a long-term goal…but we also have a
present hope!
So whether you are counting the minutes until this
weekend and the last bell of the school year…or you are wondering how
you will make it through each hour of this day…God offers you full and
complete rest. Won’t you get in on this for yourself? Aren’t you ready
for a break?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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