Fall Points to a Time of Rest

I enjoy the fall season of the year.  The colors here in Minnesota have been extraordinarily beautiful this fall.  Must have been the warm, wet summer that made the tree leaves so alive.  And the fields of pumpkins are dotted with the amazing orange spheres that will soon become jack-o-lanterns or pumpkin pies.  As the leaves begin to fall, one can see the myriad of nests the squirrels have built as their winter homes.  I always have wondered how those nests built of twigs and leaves can withstand those fierce winter winds.  But they do.  And who can resist a hot mug of apple cider with a twist of cinnamon?  Couple that with a warm apple donut and a perfect evening is created. 


As one sees the changing landscapes of fall, a person has to marvel at God's great design.  Creation, at least in the northern climes, needs a time of rest.  God knew this.  Trees need a rest - thus the shedding of the leaves.  Fields need a rest - thus the lack of planting and growing.  Even some animals need a rest - thus the long time of hibernation.  The fall season is a reminder that God often asks us to slow down, to rest.


Rest, when you come to think of it, was what God did after six long days of creation.  The Bible tells us in Genesis 2:2, "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work."  God rested!  The need for rest is a part of God's creative plan for His creation and for the pinnacle of His creation, namely man.  Yes, God expected man to work, for work is also a part of God's creative plan (Genesis 2:15 - "The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.")  But work needs to be balanced with rest.  When it came time for the children of Israel to receive those laws that would govern them as a nation, the fourth commandment stated, "Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy.  Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God.  On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.  For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the seas, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day.  Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy." (Exodus 20:8-11) 


Now rest is not laziness.  In fact, I believe many people often work hard at being lazy.  Rest does not mean inactivity.  In fact, a change of activity from what is normal can often be a great way to rest.  How important it is for us to understand that God has built a desire within each of us for rest.  Such rest is a time when we can reconnect with God.  Such rest is a time when we can reconnect with our families.  Such rest is a time when we can reconnect with ourselves. 


I know we live in an age when we are almost prideful of our busyness.  We run hither and thither often acting like a "chicken with its head cut off."  I can still close my eyes and see my grandfather swing his axe and off would come a chicken's head; then he would let it flop around.  That chicken would flop all over but had no idea where it was going.  Such scenes are often what our culture demands of us.  We create one activity after another seeking to fill our calendars with events - sporting events, cultural events, school events, and even, sadly, church events.  And today our busyness is compounded with our technological toys.  A few quiet moments become an opportunity to send a text or play a game or use the Internet.  Perhaps we equate activity with spirituality; but that is a wrong equation to make. 


I want to rediscover the value of rest.  I want to rediscover the significance of "being still before a holy God."  I want to know that "the LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him" (Habakkuk 2:20).  Rest does not come automatically.  Rest does not come with a sincere desire.  Rest has to become a priority; it has to be something that we diligently seek after.  Just as creation prepares itself for a time of rest, so you and I need to prepare ourselves for a time of rest.  Perhaps it is to rediscover the value of Sunday being our Sabbath, our day of rest.  Perhaps it is to rediscover the significance of taking a week away from work - remember, leave your laptop at home and don't use that cellphone unless it is an emergency; the office can survive without you for a few days - and spending time with your family.  Perhaps you will rediscover rest by simply opening God's Word as you sit in your favorite rocking chair and allowing Him to speak to your heart in the quietness of an early morning or late evening. 


Friends, our souls long for rest.  Our bodies long for rest.  Our relationship with a living God longs for rest.  My prayer is that God will cause us to diligently prepare and seek for His rest, and that, as we experience that rest, our souls and bodies will become re-energizer with His power and His presence.