There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
[Hebrews 4:9-10]
Days turned into weeks and weeks into months as Mercy’s wait continued. She found herself caught in a whirlwind of emotions, swaying between stillness and tears, hope and doubt, frustration, and curiosity. But through it all, she clung onto a glimmer of faith, a belief that something greater awaited her at the end of this arduous journey.
Unbeknownst to Mercy, her waiting was not in vain. In her moments of desperation, she reached out to God, seeking solace and answers. Little did she realize that God was using this waiting period to cleanse her, to purge her from the desires and attachments of the material world. Each passing day brought her closer to a deeper understanding of herself and her purpose.
As time passed, Mercy began reflecting on her life’s path. She realized she had traversed countless roads, seeking fulfillment and happiness in external pursuits. She had chased after wealth, success, and fleeting pleasures, hoping to find the rest she desperately longed for. But now, she understood the irony of her journey. The rest she sought was not hidden on distant paths; it had been right in front of her all along.
One day, as Mercy sat in quiet contemplation, a profound realization washed over her. She understood that the rest she had been yearning for was not a physical place or a destination to be reached. It was a state of being, a surrender to God’s divine will, and a release of earthly desires. At that moment, Mercy experienced a deep connection to God’s presence, a tranquility that transcended the chaos of the world around her.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
From that day forward, Mercy’s perspective shifted. She no longer waited in restlessness but embraced the stillness within her. She found solace in the silence and strength in her faith. She learned to let go of her attachment to outcomes and surrender to the divine plan. In doing so, she discovered a peace that surpassed all understanding.
Mercy’s wait had transformed her. What once seemed like a time of trial and uncertainty had become a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth. And as she basked in the light of God’s rest, she knew that she had found her true home, a place where waiting was no longer necessary.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Sometimes God does not want you to run from the storm. He wants you to be anchored in it so that should it arise again, you won’t be threatened by the fierce waves that beat all around you; but that in your confidence, the waves will learn to bow in your presence. Rest in God will allow you to traverse paths that might prove fearful to others. To be at rest is to know that your confidence is not from you but from God. It’s to have your senses permeated with the memory of the creator walking with you daily. This rest will enable you to conquer many battles. It will enable you to sit on the chair designed for you.
Do you see your story in Mercy? As God guides you to this place called rest, what lessons is He teaching you along the way?
Join me next month as we explore yet – another story.
11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
[Hebrews 4:11-13]
