"Be still, and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10
There is a story reportedly from the writings of Rabbi Kushner about a group of tourists who went on a safari in Africa and hired several native porters to carry their supplies for them. After three days, the porters announced they would have to stop and rest for a day. When the tourists inquired as to why this was (they did not appear to be tired) the porters confirmed that fatigue was not the reason: 'but we have walked too far too fast and now we must wait for our souls to catch up to us.' Interesting thought...
The soul is the part of us that longs for deeper things, that longs for God, that tells us how spiritually hungry we are. It's also the part that guides us and reminds us of Truth. For David, the psalmist, his soul was like his inner compass that told him the right way to go. He often stopped and listened to his soul. Over and over again, he says his soul is thirsty (Psalm 107:9), it longs for God (Psalm 143:6), his soul cries out for salvation (Psalm 119:81), and it recognizes the truth about himself, that he is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), and therefore there is Someone, the Maker, in a perfect position to suggest that weekly rest from 'the same old same old' is beneficial and even necessary for a healthy soul.
Have we worked so hard and moved so fast that we can't hear from our consciences anymore? Take some time--in fact, if you're not doing it yet, consider taking some time every week, as our Designer recommends--and see if your stress level and mental state and ability to see things more clearly doesn't improve. Interestingly, God gives this idea as much importance as not murdering or stealing--check out Exodus 20:8,9, right smack in the middle of the 10 commandments: "Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days a week are set apart for your daily duties and regular work, but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God."
Hmmm...God knew then (as He for certain does now) that we need to come away for a bit every week and let our souls catch up with the rest of our harried and stressed-out selves, and rest, truly rest. How cool is that?
Hmmm...God knew then (as He for certain does now) that we need to come away for a bit every week and let our souls catch up with the rest of our harried and stressed-out selves, and rest, truly rest. How cool is that?
You've been prayed for today.
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