Recently, my husband rearranged this hymn, same lyrics, different melody, and I absolutely love it! Rest is something I struggle with aLL. tHE. tIME. Even if I am sleeping, my brain doesn't shut off, and it somehow wakes up with the same worries of this life. Something God is showing me lately is how I don't know how to really rest in Him.
I am talking about a spiritual rest that might and might not give way to even physical, emotional, or mental rest. At least the kind of rest God supplies brings eternal peace, not necessarily a relief from circumstances, but a rest that brings a strong, unbreakable trust in who God is. Jesus has said, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."
These are the questions I started asking myself when thinking through rest:
- Vacation away from home is nice and definitely needed but what does rest look like the other 51 weeks of the year?
- Is my hope resting in who God IS or just on what I think He is DOING? (big difference)
- Do I believe that He is my complete satisfaction or do I just say it in an 'auto-pilot-kind-of-way?'
- Where do my thoughts go when I am by myself (worry, my to-do list, myself, stuff OR am I trusting, hoping in Him, investing in others, serving)
The words to this song capture my thoughts as of lately.........
I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee, and Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power, Thou hast made me whole.
Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless, satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings, meets supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings; Thine is love indeed!
Ever lift Thy face upon me, as I work and wait for Thee;
Resting 'neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus, earth's dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father's glory, sunshine of my Father's face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting; fill me with Thy grace.
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless, satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings, meets supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings; Thine is love indeed!
Ever lift Thy face upon me, as I work and wait for Thee;
Resting 'neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus, earth's dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father's glory, sunshine of my Father's face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting; fill me with Thy grace.
