SCRIPTURE
Psalm 128:1-2 – Happy is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways. You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you.
TIRED AND ACHY
My body was achy and exhausted from a long weekend. Days of non-stop movement coupled with constant thinking had worn me out, and now I was paying the price. I couldn’t move, and my brain was muddled. Feeling so run-down on a Monday morning is a terrible way to begin the week, and I knew what I had to do. Even with an office full of work beckoning to me, the right thing would be to rest.
Rest is not my favorite tempo. Action and busyness are my signature steps. To be still feels awkward; to move is natural. To sit alone is foreign to my makeup; to be surrounded by people is life-giving, and yet… I was achy. I felt a bit grumpy, too. Tired, achy and grumpy are not the ingredients needed for productivity. My current state would not provide a good foundation for efficiency. Reluctantly, the decision was made – I would remain in bed for just a bit longer. I messaged the office that I would be in on Tuesday and would work on Friday (my typical day off). For this week, Monday was now officially a rest day. Maybe I would nap just a bit more and then get a couple of things done around the house while taking it easy. “Tomorrow,” I reasoned, “I will be fully rested and hit the ground running.”
A few moments later when I opened my eyes, the room looked a bit fuzzy. My brain was too foggy to focus, and the clock didn’t make sense. 4:30? That wasn’t right. I had only planned to nap for a few minutes, but sure enough, I had slept through the day. Regardless of my plans or my reasoning, my body had responded to my physical condition. Monday had become an entire day of rest.
I arrived at my desk the following morning ready to work. Psalm 128 was my first scripture reading of the day, and immediately I recognized the significance. Happy is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways. Fear, in this instance, means being in awe of God in a serious way. I will be happy and blessed when I take God seriously and obediently live according to God’s ways – including rest when appropriate. You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you. When I follow Jesus in my living and my working, God’s blessing is plentiful. Life is good, and my achy, grumpy tiredness have no place.
In this reflective season of Lent, I am reminded that successful living is not determined by external settings. Happiness is the result of placing my faith in Jesus Christ. Internal contentment depends only on my relationship with Jesus and my spiritual commitment to worship well. May I find rest in the Lord.
Well rested,
Pastor Beth
PRAYER FROM PSALM 128
Peaceful God, fearing you is a good thing. I want nothing more than to be in awe of your powerful love while growing in wisdom and happiness. May I find my rest in you. Amen.
