Adjust: Acclimatize, Adapt, Habituate, Modify, Remodel, Tune

Last Wednesday night Sumer and I attended the mid-week service at New Hope Worship Center.  It was a family service that focused on "Giving Thanks".  We traced our hands on a sheet of construction paper and on each finger we wrote something we were thankful for.  I was having a good time recalling Gods blessings and expressing thankfulness for each of them.  The message that night was a great reminder to never take for granted all that God has done, is doing and will do in our lives.


Each family was invited to come forward to receive communion and pray with a staff pastor.  As Sumer and I made our way up to the front I was asking God, "What am I having a hard time with that I should ask prayer for?"  He gave me one word.  "Rest".  I thought, "Really?...you want me to ask for rest?  That just sounds wimpy and lame." 


We received communion and the staff pastor asked how he could pray for us.  Everyone in the circle focused their eyes on me (or at least it felt that way)  I explained that I was having a difficult time resting - and that I feel like I have to be working on some project, doing something or going somewhere.  The one word that God spoke settled deeply.  In that moment I realized my need to "feel productive" kept me from seeing God's gifts and blessings.  The way that I had been going about life needed to change.  God was directing me to adjust, acclimatize, adapt, habituate, modify and remodel to a life of rest.


This morning I woke up with the word "rest" on my mind.  After devotions the word was still lingering.  (I've learned to pay attention to "lingering" words)  I went to "Vines Expository Dictionary" to look up the word and I discovered that there are 11 different definitions of "rest".
All of them have significant meaning, but I want to highlight two that stood out to me. 


1)  ANAPAUSIS "cessation, refreshment, rest" (ana, "up," pauo, "to make to cease"), the constant word in the Sept. for the Sabbath "rest," is used in Matt_11:29; here the contrast seems to be to the burdens imposed by the Pharisees. Christ's "rest" is not a "rest" from work, but in work, "not the rest of inactivity but of the harmonious working of all the faculties and affections, of will, heart, imagination, conscience, because each has found in God the ideal sphere for its satisfaction and development" (J. Patrick, in Hastings' Bib. Dic.)


2)  ANAPAUO akin to anapausis, in the Active Voice, signifies "to give intermission from labor, to give rest, to refresh," Matt_11:28; In the papyri it is found as an agricultural term, e.g., of giving land "rest" by sowing light crops upon it.


The two definitions should be a regular discipline in our life.  It is important to rest IN our work.  It is also important to be refreshed, and take rest FROM our work.  I am learning to recognize the moments of rest that God gives me.  I have a long way to go, and I'm certain to fumble along the way.  The truth remains: He gives us the opportunity and ability to rest IN our work and He provides the opportunity for us to rest FROM our work. 


It's up to us to make those adjustments!


Be encouraged to REST!
Josh

we're all passing away

(this is josh)
What a wonderful title for my first post, don't you think?  Kind of morbid you might say.  I don't disagree completely, but the reality could also be positive.  Recently I was reading through 2 Corinthians and I came across this passage:  

"...we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
(2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

See, it's not so morbid when you read it in Scripture.  This reality of "passing away" should motivate us to focus on what is important.  It should compel us to live for God and strive for the things that matter to Him.  It should cause us to never take anything for granted.  It should, BUT does it?  Do we live as though we are passing away?  Does that reality stare us in the face?  Does it affect our passion for life?  

Most of you who are reading this know of the recent transition we made from Hope Chapel to IGNITE. (go to hopenc.org to check out HC...go to getignited.org for more about IGNITE)
When I look back I recognize that the transition started because we heard God's voice.  We followed His lead out of obedience.  We were obedient because we want to please our heavenly Father.  We want to please our heavenly Father because there will be a day when we sit at His feet and our life will be laid out before Him.  Listen to 2 Corinthians 5:10...

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."

If the reality that "we're all passing away" doesn't motivate you...please allow this verse to do so!  Do some "Carpe Diem".  Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith!  Don't be overwhelmed by the temporary, but rather be overwhelmed by the eternal God.  Then get running!


Thank you for visiting life.told!  We'll continue to give updates on our life, progress with IGNITE and truths we learn along the way.  Please feel free to post comments!


much love,
the smiths