Lately, my posts have been focused on rest, because that’s what God has put on my heart in this season. His invitation to rest, which came at the beginning of this year as a gentle whisper, has grown more increasingly into a pressing command. One that I can no longer ignore or “modify” to suit my own plans and purposes. One that I need to embrace fully.
Sometimes obedience looks like taking bold, brave new steps into unknown territory. And sometimes it looks like being still. While those two things may seem to be at odds, when you are aligned with a Holy God, following the pace He has set and moving to His rhythm, you’re always moving forward. Even when you are called to stop and rest.
When we think of rest, sometimes the word wait comes to mind, patiently being still in expectation. But wait can mean so much more. The word “wait” used here is the Hebrew word “qavah” meaning “to bind together; to entwine” – like a rope – an entwining of strands to create a single cord. Alone, a single strand has limited strength and use, but entwined with other strands, and bound together its strength and possibilities for use increase considerably. Ecc. 4:12 says that a three-fold cord is not quickly broken.
When we accept His gift of salvation and entwine our lives with His, a wonderful transformation takes place and we are no longer alone! We become one with Him. Our lives are no longer our own. But, our entwining with God isn’t just a one-time thing that happens when we say “yes” to Christ. Staying bound together, is an intentional daily choice to remain in that state of entwinement. A choice to abide.
And just as a rope can’t do anything by itself, but bends to the will of the wielder, when we align ourselves with God, coming under His direction and guidance, we go where He leads and do as He directs. We bear fruit. The key is obedience. Sometimes, that means the “rope” is at rest – coiled neatly and ready for its next use. And sometimes it is pressed into service, stretched to its limits, used to secure, to hold, to lift. Because its strength is found in its unity, it is able to withstand tremendous amounts of pressure.
Abiding is a choice that we make – a decision to remain entwined.
But what happens when a strand becomes separated from the rest of the rope? It begins to unravel and lose strength. It can break or fray, causing damage to the rope and hindering its effectiveness. That is why ropes are inspected before use to ensure that they are reliable and don’t pose a hazard to safety. When we move out from our place of entwinement – thinking we can do things on our own, follow our own path, make our own way without God – we risk hurting not only ourselves, but others around us. Our strength is diminished, our purpose unfulfilled, and we produce no fruit.
When we choose to abide, we say as Moses did “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.” (Ex. 33:15) He was essentially saying, “We are bound together with you. We can’t do this life on our own. We can’t be successful and faithful on our own. Our strength will fail without you. But submitted to You, entwined with You, following Your lead, we can do anything.” And God promised that in their going together, they would have His rest (Ex. 33:14).
In this year of restoration, I sometimes forget that “rest” is part of the restoration process. That it doesn’t always need action or activity, as is necessary in the restoring of a car or an old house. Sometimes the only action that needs to be taken is obedience – a coming into alignment with the will of God. And so, I know that I need to enter this season of rest in all of its fullness – whatever that might look like – as I follow the Holy Spirit’s lead. It’s going to mean setting aside some things for a time, even things I don’t want to, but I remind myself that I can only see with limited vision. It’s time for this rope to be coiled and still – still learning, still growing, still listening – but at rest. Because rest in obedience to God’s voice is never passive. We are given these seasons of rest as a gift for recovery and preparation.
So, Wisdom Wednesdays will take a hiatus for now. I will be scaling back, taking a break from self-imposed deadlines and the constant pressure to create content that social media dictates. I hope to continue to share little nuggets with you as I allow the Holy Spirit to breathe new life, vision, and inspiration into this earthen shell. I’m looking forward to investing deeply in my family and some things that have needed my attention for a while and I am excited about what God has planned ahead. I pray that I will rise from rest invigorated, refreshed, and able to be more effective in whatever God calls me to do.
And for you, dear friends, I pray that you will lean in and entwine yourself with the One Who loves you most. May God guide your feet on the path you are supposed to travel. May His Presence encourage and strengthen you for the journey, whether that is taking bold steps or being still. Most of all, I wish you Restoration, in whatever form the Lord calls it forth in your life. May you enter into that deep and profound rest of obedience to His call. I promise you, it will be worth it!
Until next time, friends…
Of Shattered Things 