“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 The Message

Anyone who knows me knows that one of my happy places is the beach! The sand, the sun, and the waves revitalize me. I always feel such freedom and peace when I am able to just walk along the shore, feel the sun on my face, the sand between my toes and the waves dance around me as they ebb and flow. It settles me, centers me, and gives me a greater sense of God’s love and grace.

Yep, the beach is my happy place!

I am grateful to once again have had the opportunity for some much-needed beach time. The day we arrived on Galveston Island, I must have walked a good 6 or 7 miles up and down the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, listening for the voice God in the waves, in the singing of the seagulls and egrets. It was pure joy to have Him kiss me with the sun and remind me that I need these Divine Pauses to be re-calibrated and strengthened for all He knows lies ahead for me. He promised I would find just what I need in the place of rest!

I have become a big fan of getting away, unplugging, going off the grid to rest, relax, and be with the Lord.  Our days are so full of activity—so much so that many of us don’t know how to relax or truly rest. But rest is a part of God’s plan for us.  Even He “rested” from His work to set an example for us (Genesis 2:2).

Rest is an act of worship! Pause and think about that!

It’s in the place of rest that we are better able to hear the voice of God, gain strength, direction and strategy. It’s in the place of rest that we receive grace and peace.  Our minds stop rushing; our thoughts and vision become clear.  We are refreshed. It’s in the place of rest that we make wiser decisions—decisions rooted faith and not fear. It’s in the rest that we come to know ourselves and our God better.

It’s in the rest that we reconnect with what really matters and can free ourselves of all that hinders us from completing  our assignments and living out our purposes and destiny in Him.

Here’s one thing I have learned: it’s not all about the grind!  Yes, there is a place for the worship of work, but even our work should flow from a place of rest. Adam enter life in rest and then was given work to do.  I guarantee you, when you learn to rest, the work becomes invigorating, not enervating.

I have found that many of the answers I am seeking the Lord for are only found in the rest!!

What does God have for you that may only be found in a place of rest?

You may not be able to get to a beach, or the mountains, or wherever you favorite place to rest and rejuvenate may be.   But you can be intentional about setting aside time to rest, relax, regroup and allow God to recalibrate you. Make a commitment to yourself!  Be deliberate in taking those Selahs, those Divine Pauses.

Run to that happy place—that secret place—and simply rest in the Lord!