Don’t Ignore the Rest Stops

Summer has officially begun with all its sweat filled glory. My birthday gift from my husband and daughter last year was a new bike. It’s pretty stupendous and totally my speed- a hot pink and black cruiser with a cozy seat, basket on the front for essentials, and whitewall tires.

I’ve never been an off-road kind of girl. To put my relationship with nature in perspective, my parents found a way to hookup a small TV and VCR in the pop-up camper on our family camping trips so that I could take a break and watch Care Bears in the heat of the day. But this bike has given me a new appreciation for experiencing nature.

Taking bike rides on the trail near our house has become a near daily summer tradition for me and my daughter. We met Bobby, Sandy, Teeny and Tiny, the turtle family that hangs by the pond. We met a pair of water snakes. They didn’t receive names due to the fact that they were beelining to shore, and we felt the need for speed. And we discovered a place of respite that we refer to as ‘The Ferdinand Tree’. This old tree, with developed, looming branches creates vast shade that envelopes the path. A perfect place of rest from the beaming rays of Mr. Sunshine. We’ve come to count on its provision, and it is where we stop for water breaks.

We headed out early one morning to try to beat the heat. The basket was loaded with water, binoculars (my daughter likes to get a close-up look at the creatures), and a few other treasures. It wasn’t too far along the path that we passed an elderly man walking at a slow but steady pace using his walker for stability. His lanky build stooped as he hunkered against the breeze, determined, one step at a time. Stone rest stops are strategically placed along the path. To be honest, I’ve never considered using them. They are just there. This man stopped at every one of them. He sat down for a few minutes to breathe, have some water, and restore. Then he stood up, braced his hands on the walker, and kept on going.

How many times am I so focused on ‘The Ferdinand Tree’ moments in life, getting to my own preestablished stopping point, and miss the moments of built-in rest that the Lord so graciously provides? Pushing ourselves to the limit may payoff in the short term, but what about the long-term physical, emotional, or mental consequences of burning the candle at both ends?

The words of Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”, are like the strategically placed resting stones. The Lord is the oasis for our souls. Moments He beckons us to rest should not be just part of the day’s scenery; they should be heeded.

Rest for our souls may differ for each of us. It may be locking yourself in the bathroom for five minutes to rest and pray. It may be taking a bike ride or a walk to appreciate the beauty that surrounds life’s precious moments. It may be a silent plea for His renewal of your mind at any given moment when you find yourself ensnared within the wicked grasp of worry.

Rest is not one-size-fits-all, but our Creator knows all. He knows our needs before we speak them (Matthew 6:8).

Let’s rest in Him today. Don’t ignore the rest stops.