Happy New Year!
2020 was an interesting year! I’m sure many experienced ups and downs and peaks and valleys. As believers, we may have seen 2020 as a gift and opportunity to rest in the Lord, spend more time in His Word, and encourage those around us.
For me, 2020 gave me an opportunity to learn how to rest in the Lord and deepen my ability to hear from Him. As each new year approaches, I ask the Lord to give me a word for that year. For 2020, the word was “rest.” It took me a couple of months to figure out what He meant by “rest.” Early in the year, I asked God, “What do you mean by rest and how do I do that?” For those who know me, they will attest that I’m not someone who sits around “resting” and I typically juggle many activities at the same time. I thought resting meant sitting on the sofa reading a book or watching a movie. But I would soon learn that God has a different meaning about how to rest in Him.
The first two months of 2020 were hectic. I was in school for four hours each day and the remaining hours were spent volunteering, working conference events, teaching, and ministering. My schedule was packed and there were no opportunities to rest. The next thing I knew, I was quarantined in my home and forced to slow down and rest. My classes for March through May were online and via live Zoom meetings. Stores and restaurants were closed and there was no where to go. During what many would say was a crazy and confining time, I learned how to “rest” in the Lord. I loved the quiet time and downtime. People often asked if I was bored. I was loving being quarantined and having no place to go, freeing me up to read, study, and be with God. As I rested in Him, I learned how to hear His voice through the scriptures and the still small voice that seems to come from our bellies. I’ve always heard from God, but this seemed to be at an even higher level of hearing and understanding; it was like we were conversing all day long instead of just hearing from Him once in a while, or when there was a crisis.
I believe many of us think we are resting when we are idle; however, God wants our rest to include a peace that surpasses our own understanding. In Galatians 5:22-23, we read about the Fruit of the Spirit and that this fruit is already inside believers. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, His nature is “birthed” inside of us and we can experience His love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
I never realized that my body and brain were constantly in motion and in high gear. Even while sitting on the sofa watching a movie, my brain was thinking and creating new ideas and my body was moving internally and not resting. As 2020 continued into the summer months, most of my days were spent reading God’s Word, listening to Bible teachings, and sitting quietly with God. This is when I finally connected the dots about what God meant by “rest.” I experienced an internal and physical “rest” or peace that was tangible. My body was no longer vibrating when I laid in bed or sat on the sofa. There is now a consistent stillness and peace that I feel 24/7 and it is amazing!
When you are faced with challenges that appear to be frustrating or impossible, similar to what we experienced during 2020, look at your situation differently; see it as an opportunity to draw closer to God and allow Him to teach you something new or refresh your memory about something you have forgotten.
God wants you to experience an abundant life full of His promises and blessings even in the midst of what appears to be chaos. We don’t know what 2021 will look like. Will the virus still be around? Will governors and mayors continue to keep us in lockdown? Will something new arise? What we do know is that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8) and whatever 2021 brings, we can “rest” in Him through it all.
As the new year begins, take the opportunity to “rest” in the Lord and draw closer to Him. Let God, through the Holy Spirit, guide and direct your path.
Happy New Year and may this be a blessed and healthy new year!
~Donna Jones