The Pursuit of Rest
I recall my days at Longwood University—the birth place of my spiritual journey. I recall how busy I was: rushing from class to class, meeting to meeting, thing to thing. I don’t recall one semester where my schedule wasn’t occupied with things to do, places to be. Reflecting back, despite the amazing things I did, the person I became, and the people I met—there is a distinct feeling that lingers.
Inner Turbulence.
I was deeply unsettled. I was unrested. In many ways, I was unwell. Yes, I did. Yes, I joined. Yes, I achieved and succeeded—but, at a cost. I sacrificed my inner wellbeing. I prostituted my efforts and, in the end, after, I felt empty.
Whether today or in the past, you too have done amazing things. You were able to scale mountains that, at the time, you didn’t think was possible. Today, you continue to achieve and grow outwardly. This part of your life has always come easy. Yet, despite the success, despite the facade you put on for others—its hard for you to fool you. You recognize that inside, you are going crazy—inside, you are barley holding it together. Why is that?
It’s because you really don’t trust yourself. It’s because you are letting your fears and anxieties lead you. Instead of taming the voices of doubt, you let them run off and dictate how you feel, long term, and perceive yourself—instead of being mindful of them, like a kid with no home training, you let them do what they want.
An Offering.
What if you could do and achieve, but also have rest in your efforts. I want to present to you that you can be on purpose, you can continue your healing journey but with peace inside while you do it. I’m saying that you don’t have to worry, fear (unrealistically), doubt yourself, forsake and shame yourself, and sacrifice your wellbeing, in the process of doing.
I want to share below a message that I read recently from a daily devotional—this message has continued to unfold and be downloaded into the framework of my Spirit. I hope it offers you the same quality of peace and inspiration as it’s brought me, so far.
My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. —Exodus 33:14
“What does it mean for you to rest? Most of us immediately think of the ways we relax. We take a break from our labor. But how often do we tie rest to the importance of taking time to stop and wait on God. When he speaks about being present with us and going with us in whatever we do, he is not talking about being inactive. He is talking about inviting him into what we are doing.
Rest in God is about acting while trusting Him to be with us in what we do. It is a difficult task because we are typically self-reliant. He challenges us to learn how to request him to be a part of our everyday lives. When we do, he gives us the peace we need. What makes our days hard? Anxiety and worry. God promises that when He is with us, we can rest.”
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Affirm & Decree.
(Acknowledge the Divine within you; then, repeat these words—do this as many times as needed. “Act as if” until they become true for you.)
From this moment forward, my efforts will be inspired by rest.
I release the restraints and constraints that are keeping me in bondage. The invisible shackles of my fears, doubts, and insecurities are being recycled into the Universe—in this moment, they are offering me gratitude for a past that I survivied and have grown from, gracefully.
I now rest in who I am, where I am, and where this life is taking me.
The rhythm of rest is in my thoughts, my speech, and my walk—there is rest in the way I dress, look at myself in the mirror, and love.
I invite the spirit of rest into my finances. I invite rest in my relationships. I invite rest into my workspace. My actions, from this point forward, shall only know rest—in this rest, I am confidently at peace.