The Quest for Rest

     Rest.  That ever elusive concept.  The one where you have a little bit of time for yourself, where you relax and fee better afterward.  Everyone has their own idea of what it means to feel rested and what it takes to get there, whether that means thirty minutes in the tub, or taking a nap. 
     Ever since I started nursing school back in March I have longed for rest.  And sometimes that has meant not feeling guilty for watching a movie when I had homework or 10 other things hanging over my head.  My friend, Diann, sends out an email to all of the ministry team each week as the children's church director at The Revolution, and she used the phrase 'quest for rest' this week and it has stuck with me.  How do you quest for rest?  What does rest truly mean?  The picture I get most often is someone hiking up a mountain and then collapsing in exhaustion when they can no longer go! They certainly need a rest!
     In Mark 6:31 Jesus said to his disciples "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."  And in Matthew 11:28 He said: "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  Rest, in both those verses (in Greek) means 'to be refreshed, get rest, to take life easy'.  According to dictionary.com it means: "relief or freedom, especially from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs; mental or spiritual calm, tranquility."  I could definitely use a healthy dose of rest! But what stood out to me was the word 'come'.  In both verses Jesus has bid us to come, to Him and with Him.  I think that He is saying we will only truly find rest in His presence, AND that we have to make an effort to get there! 
     While this is my fourth (and last) week of summer break, I really hadn't felt rested the whole time, especially since the girls started school today!  That is kind of frustrating!  The word rest had been on my mind since the weekend, and Diann's email spurred me on.  Yesterday morning I prayed and meditated on it.  I told God that I wanted a restful last day of summer with the girls.  Let me tell you, it was one of the best days ever!  Actively pursuing God's presence makes such a difference.  My girls weren't perfect, and I still had a lot of loose ends to tie up before they headed out the door this morning, but my questing led me to the rest I needed.  I know next week will be busy as I start my classes up again, but I am going to continue to make an effort to stay in that resting place.