Crucial Rest

By Josh Weisbrod in Worship on 12/2/10

  Most mornings I wake up with sleep and the occasional bowl of Cap’n Crunch on my mind, but today I woke up with anticipation. For most people today was just another Thursday, but for me and millions of other American soccer fans it was a day of hope that we would be hosting the World Cup in 2022. For the past two years I have been emotionally invested into a process that would bring the World Cup to America and Seattle in 11 years. For those of you who do not know what the world cup brings to the host nation I can tell you. It brings thousands of jobs, billions of dollars of revenue, and intense national pride to its host nation.

  So this is what I woke up to this morning. The chaos of the news reporting was immense. I was bombarding my mind with reports from every website and channel I could get my hands on, but then the announcement came. Qatar will be hosting the 2022 World Cup. Even those who are not soccer fans might imagine my surprise and frustration that the only high risk bid ends up winning. History and politics aside, I was frustrated. This moment began to set the tone for my day and possibly the rest of my week.

  What happened next really made me stop and think. As I was leaving the house I began to brew on the loss of the bid. I was devastated that years of work and passion were dashed to the ground. As I got into my car I turned on my mp3 player and a song by Explosions in the Sky played first. This band is a strictly instrumental band like many post rock bands. As I listened to the song and its soft sound I longed for rest. I so badly wanted rest of the mind and the heart. I was reminded of Psalms 55 where David says “If only I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest”. As the music filled my car I was overcome by this same desire that David had. I wanted my heart to flee the frustration brewing inside it and find rest. So before I made my way to work I simply took a moment to listen to the song and not speak. I didn’t think of all the things I had to do that day. I didn’t dwell on the things that happened in the morning. I just simply sat still for 4 minutes. After the second minute I actually began to get uncomfortable, because I am so used to talking or singing, but it was important to leave this space open.

  I think that these moments are so crucial to our relationship with God. We truly need to take moments to rest. You might even have to force yourself to take 5 minutes to breathe and be silent, but it is so important. A couple weeks ago Pastor Christian gave time during Sunday service to take a moment of silence, and now I would like to encourage you to do the same in your work week. When we feel trapped on every side by the frustrations of life we must find refuge in the arms of Jesus Christ. He is our refuge, and he will provide us the rest we need.

Psalms 91 says:
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.“2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3

Take a moment and listen to this song by Explosions in the Sky and enjoy a moment of rest:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY8BCgX0dwg&feature=related

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