Restless
“You have made us for yourself oh Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” St. Augustine
I love that quote. I think for as long as we are on this side of heaven, we will all have a level of ache, longing, internal conflict and struggle with some degree "restlessness." It's not necessarily a bad thing nor an indication that we are spiritually unfit or unhealthy. It just means we're human. What matters more is what we do with those feelings of restlessness and who we turn to during those moments.
The reason we ache and long is because we were made for eternity and perfection. It is natural for our hearts to dream and desire for something "more, greater, and far better" than what we are currently experiencing on this earth. Our greatest desire for perfection will one day be quenched, but until that day of full redemption when Jesus returns for his church and his bride, you and me, we can still "rest in place." It is possible for our hearts to experience contentment and rest. We can be still. It does however require being intentional and deliberate. We need to be teachable and willing to ask God to help redefine for us what some things truly mean in his economy and kingdom. And in doing so it "rewires" or rather we are renewed by his word that transforms our minds and thinking. (Romans 12:2, Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.)
Essentially, we lay down our life and take up the life he has called us to live. We daily surrender and give him lordship. We live in light of the kingdom of God and it's ways, not the way or thinking of this world. To view all things through his perspective and the lens of heaven and eternity.
So I have been on this journey of asking God to help me define what he says and thinks about certain words. I routinely ask God what do you think this ________ looks like for me and my family in this particular hour and season? Please show me what that looks like. Help me to define and discern when I have finally see it and am living it the way you intend. Here are a few trigger words.
1. Success
2. Progress
3. Productivity
4. Achievement
5. Moving forward
Could it be that many of us are living in angst or feeling a sense of pressure that God never placed on us because we are not living in accordance to how he sees and defines things?So friend, ask God to redefine what is tripping you up and keeping your heart from being at rest in his love and goodness.
Here are some bonus ones:
- Fruitful.
- Preparing/Preparation.
- Blessed.
- Blessings
- Growth
- Connection
- Community
- Loved
- Boundaries
- Accepted
And the list can go on..........
I love that quote. I think for as long as we are on this side of heaven, we will all have a level of ache, longing, internal conflict and struggle with some degree "restlessness." It's not necessarily a bad thing nor an indication that we are spiritually unfit or unhealthy. It just means we're human. What matters more is what we do with those feelings of restlessness and who we turn to during those moments.
The reason we ache and long is because we were made for eternity and perfection. It is natural for our hearts to dream and desire for something "more, greater, and far better" than what we are currently experiencing on this earth. Our greatest desire for perfection will one day be quenched, but until that day of full redemption when Jesus returns for his church and his bride, you and me, we can still "rest in place." It is possible for our hearts to experience contentment and rest. We can be still. It does however require being intentional and deliberate. We need to be teachable and willing to ask God to help redefine for us what some things truly mean in his economy and kingdom. And in doing so it "rewires" or rather we are renewed by his word that transforms our minds and thinking. (Romans 12:2, Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.)
Essentially, we lay down our life and take up the life he has called us to live. We daily surrender and give him lordship. We live in light of the kingdom of God and it's ways, not the way or thinking of this world. To view all things through his perspective and the lens of heaven and eternity.
So I have been on this journey of asking God to help me define what he says and thinks about certain words. I routinely ask God what do you think this ________ looks like for me and my family in this particular hour and season? Please show me what that looks like. Help me to define and discern when I have finally see it and am living it the way you intend. Here are a few trigger words.
1. Success
2. Progress
3. Productivity
4. Achievement
5. Moving forward
Could it be that many of us are living in angst or feeling a sense of pressure that God never placed on us because we are not living in accordance to how he sees and defines things?So friend, ask God to redefine what is tripping you up and keeping your heart from being at rest in his love and goodness.
Here are some bonus ones:
- Fruitful.
- Preparing/Preparation.
- Blessed.
- Blessings
- Growth
- Connection
- Community
- Loved
- Boundaries
- Accepted
And the list can go on..........
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