This summer began a new season for me as the Lord called me out of a full-time role in youth ministry into a season of rest. I admittedly fought the initial invitation to “Follow me to a place of rest” with quite a bit of resistance. “I can’t rest now. There’s so much to do! What does rest even mean?”
It quickly became clear that not only did I need the physical rest, I needed space for the Lord to speak His grace into my life. Unlike my typical mode of planning, organizing, and pouring out, this would be a season to rest and receive.
The long days of summer give space for the soul to rest.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:2-3)
Over the past month, the Lord has revealed to me so many areas in which I continue to strive, working to earn not only the approval of others but His as well.
His invitation to rest is really a surrender, a letting go in order to be restored.
At our house, summer growth is exploding in the form of garden cucumbers and squash, fruit hanging heavy on backyard trees and bushes, and new baby chicks growing into full grown chickens. With this new season comes space to invite friends over for dinner, grilling burgers, slicing fruit, and mixing up fresh salad ingredients while the kids play in the yard. My soul is refreshed and restored in space to connect with friends, relaxing in the unhurried pace of summer. Kids stay up late playing and laughing without the worries of an early school morning the next day.
I feel myself letting go of the pressure to keep up, to be enough. I feel myself receiving the goodness of the Lord.
Yesterday while the kids were at a summer camp, I played in the kitchen making salsa and black bean, corn, and feta dip that we enjoyed with our neighbors later that evening. Sitting on the back patio, snacking on chips and dip, we relaxed around the table as we talked and laughed. There is so much freedom found in the space to be real, to laugh, to talk about the hard places in life, and to connect. Summer, with its unforced rhythms, allows space for that to happen.
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. (Psalm 62:5)
Just as the earth moves through the seasons of winter, spring, summer, and fall, we also move through seasons in life. I am thankful for this summer season of slow days to receive the fruit of His goodness and to rest in the hope of His restoring Spirit.
Leave a Comment
Lori says
I left a full time position as well. I took care of the elderly and it nearly drained me and burned me out. I responded to the call of gods rest. but it’s only been a week and I’m fighting it and feeling guilty of not having the extra income. I have got to learn to rest and relax and surrender and trust in him. Thanks for you blog post.
Courtney Hamilton says
I know how you feel! It’s definitely a journey, and I have wrestled with feeling guilty as well. I hope that you can enjoy this time and be restored!
Beth Williams says
Lori,
I know how you feel. I, too, left a full time good paying job. My aging dad was having major medical issues. My soul yearned for spiritual whitespace to rest from craziness of work & “not knowing” of phone calls, hospitals, etc. I took 15.5 months off & was there for my dad. I used the time to get closer to God. Now I have a good part-time job. I don’t regret my decision. Understandably it can be hard without the second income, but God knows best. Trust in His perfect timing & plans. Praying that you will learn to surrender to God’s will & rest upon him for a while. May He bring peace into your life.
(((((Hugs)))))
Lori says
Thanks so much for these encouraging words and praying for me. It brought tears and joy to my heart.
Michele Morin says
Courtney, I’m so encouraged by this post today. I’ll be sure to head over and check out your blog! Blessings to you in this season of seeking God in the quiet.
Courtney Hamilton says
Thank you so much for your kind words!
Kathy Cheek, Devotions from the Heart says
I think it is great that you heard and followed God’s call to rest and be restored. God knows what we need!
I wrote something similar this week on my blog, so I think God is calling many of us to His rest!
Courtney Hamilton says
I will check that out! Thank you so much!
Jessica says
Wow- ‘working to earn…. His approval’- really struck a chord with me!
Yvonne says
There are so many days I would like to rest in His presence but the demands of life are pulling me in every direction. It’s been about 1 week now that I can honestly say that I am experiencing His peace. Something I haven’t felt in a very long time. I have kids, laundry needs to be done, chores around the house and I have a husband that is constantly on the go so it makes me feel guilty when I get burned out. Thank you for your encouraging words.
Courtney Hamilton says
Yes! That continues to be my challenge as well…to rest in Him in the midst of the daily demands. Thank you!
Heidi says
Right there with ya! I resigned a full-time staff writer position in May, never knowing I would still be experiencing my season of rest at the end of July. It’s been an extremely humbling season having to ask for help. Many circumstances took place all the way back to November resulting in this decision. Thanks for such a timely blog post.
Courtney Hamilton says
Yes! Your journey sounds much the same as mine! Maybe it’s the unexpected seasons that teach us more, when we’re not seemingly controlling it all ourselves.
Ashley says
Thank you for this encouraging post ! I too left a full-time position this summer and was called into a season of rest, not knowing what my next job will be. I tend to be planner, do-er, organizer so I know it is God that has given me peace to rest in Him during this season, to stop trying to “do the next big thing” and simply rest in and trust Him and experience his joy.
This summer I had memorized the Psalm you quoted, 62:5, but in the ESV “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence”. It was such a blessing to read it in the NIV translation “Yes, my soul, find REST in God; my hope comes from him”.
Courtney Hamilton says
Thank you for this! I am also a planner, do-er, organizer, which makes this season even more challenging… yet needed!
Valerie says
I am so encouraged by this Thank you for keeping me on track with the road to restoration! My son has surely put me through a lot over the past few years. I chose my one word for this year and that was “Restore”. As I contemplate God’s Word every day, I am reminded that HE’s the one that can repair, restore, mend, & heal broken relationships. I wait on HIM
Courtney Hamilton says
I love this! Thank you!
Cheri Johnson says
This was so refreshing to read. Thank you for sharing the rest God is ministering to you in this season.
rebeccajones says
Rest is so important, mental and physical. I know from experience, so ladies, please rest. Don’t cave in to emotional pressures of to do lists, rest. God says you are worth it.
Kathleen says
I have to be honest. As a single parent, soul bread winner, burned out mentally and physically, I would LOVE to be able to answer the call of a season of rest. With all the responsibilities on my shoulder, I can’t. So those of you that can, rest and enjoy this season He has you in. I have to take moments of rest and refresh myself in small increments but how I,would love to not have never ending to do lists and things that have to get done. One day, I look forward to that call of a seasonal rest. Until then, I cherish my restful moments.
Courtney Hamilton says
Thank you for sharing this! I don’t think rest always comes in a physical sense. Right before this season where I know God has called me to lay down a lot of striving, He called me into a season of full-time, super full ministry. I have two kids and a husband with all of those responsibilities as well…and autoimmune health issues that exacerbate all of it. What I’m learning through this transition is that true restoring rest comes to us in many ways. A big one for me IN the circumstances is resting my mind in Him, as in trusting that it’s not all on my shoulders all of the time. I don’t know if you resonate with that at all, but I just wanted to share a little more.
Beth Williams says
Lori,
Today’s world is all about rush, rush, rush, go, do, get. It is so easy to get burned out-even though you may be doing a lot for God. I believe God call us to rest to restore us back to Himself. Jesus often took time away from crowds to rest & be alone with God. If He needed that-how much more do we need that? God knows we all need rest & peace. This world doesn’t offer peace to our souls. Only God can do that.
Blessings 🙂