REST

Over the past number of weeks a word which has been coming to me very often has been the word "Rest".  In verses of hymns, in poems, in verses of scriptures, in sermons, in pictures, in daily readings..... it just seems to have cropped up everywhere.  The thought has been much on my mind.  

When we think of rest we may perhaps think of sleep, being able to sit and do very little and take it easy.  Maybe we think of a Sunday.... the day of rest which God has given us so that we can not only rest our bodies from work but also have time set apart to worship Him. 

As this word has continually been brought before me over past weeks I have shared time and time again with William.  It has been amazing how it has so often fitted into our circumstances at that particular time; whether in our personal lives or in the work of Feed my Lambs....it has always been relevant. 

Thinking of the different times that the word has caught my attention over these past days I have felt that what God has been saying is "Rest".... not sleep, not relax, not take it easy..... but rest in ME.  Rest in God.  Have peace in Him.  In every situation, rest in God.   I thank God for the rest and peace God has given in these recent weeks. 

Rest in the busy days which seem to go past so quickly.  Rest even when you feel tired at 9am.  Rest in new situations and surroundings.  Rest when you see just how His timing is perfect.  Rest when He confirms over and over His will.  Rest when there are distractions.  Rest when the devil hits you at your weakest point.  Rest during the smiles.  Rest when there has been tears.  Rest when you are stretched to your limits.  Rest when people frustrate you.  Rest when you are nervous about new challenges.  Rest when you can't see beyond today.  Rest when funds are low for the work.  Rest when God provides in ways you could not have imagined. Rest when you can't understand His timing.  Rest when you look back and know His time was perfect.    

Yes the past few weeks have found us in everyone of these situations either in our personal lives or in the work and sometimes both.  At times theses situations have been big life changing decisions and big decisions for the work.  Other times it has been every day frustrations like trying to sort a problem in our office on the other side of the world.  Yet, while in times past such situations have brought fluster and panic, I can look back at how many emotions we have gone through since the beginning of 2017 and say honestly that in every one of these times, God has given complete rest.  God has brought that word before me often, just as a little reminder, just in case I would forget.  But the peace of God has brought a settled peace in my heart and that is something I can never forget. 

For William and I as we go through this busy week.  Pray for continued rest. A lot of meetings to attend.  Numerous opportunities to share about the work of FML.  A lot to be done in the office.  Other decisions in the ministry.  Decisions in our home.  Messages to be prayed over and prepared.  Waiting on email confirmations regarding the months ahead.  Trying to sort yet more African official requirements.  But in everything, we trust God for rest. 

For Joyce; she has spent another week ministering to boys and girls and registering new groups on our programme.  She is a busy Pastor's wife and a mother of two young children.  Pray that in this week ahead she will know rest. 

For those in our Nairobi office.  For Eunice as she tries to adjust to some studies in the midst of confusion.  Pray for rest. 

For Joel as he adjusts to his new role within Feed my Lambs.  As he learns.  Pray for rest. 

As more boys and girls are reached with the Gospel, pray that they too may enter into this blessed rest.  This rest that brings peace and joy deep down even when the storms rage around us.  This rest which will one day bring us to our eternal rest.