Rest

“It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved.” Psalm 127:2

Why don’t children sleep in on vacation? It seems they’re unfamiliar with Psalm 127. Then again, I probably went too late to my rest last night. Anyway, our family is away from home for a few days. This means that I’m away from work, too.

I dearly love the work that I am blessed to do at Grace. But this stretch has been filled with no small amount of anxious toil. That, too, is okay. Neither the life of discipleship nor one’s day job are supposed to be easy.

All I’m trying to say is it’s good to be on vacation. Soon we’ll be biking and kayaking and window shopping and eating and drinking. I’ll probably stay up too late. The kids will probably get up too early. I’ll tune into worship in my pajamas. And God will use this time to give us rest, the kind of rest that comes only when a heart that was made to know God comes to know the breadth and depth of God’s love. May you find the rest you need, too.

Be well, friends. You are loved.

God of peace, calm our anxious hearts. Give us grace to entrust each day to you, from our rising until our rest. Keep our hearts focused on Christ and his call today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Image: The view from my morning bike ride.