The Year of Rest

Today’s scripture: Psalm 37:7 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?

My thoughts (E’sha Cooper):

Imagine you were going to throw the biggest Christmas party of the century. You are going all out on everything: the food, the entertainment, the décor. Everything! And because you’re smart, you’re going to hire some help: quality, professional help. So you pick an event planner that handles everything from the catering and waiting staff, to your decorations and your valet service. This company is a one stop shop; they even handle security in case something gets out of hand. You find all this out during your interview process when you’re sharing your vision and they’re sharing their services and experience.

So the big day arrives. Everything seems ready to make this the most unforgettable Christmas party ever. The party starts; and as you’re walking and mingling, you see a table where there seems to be some drinks missing from the display; and as you walk over to check it out, here comes a waiter with more drinks and hors d’oeuvres to make the setting complete. You breathe a sigh of relief. A little while later you see a guest having trouble trying to get his coat retrieved from coat check; and before you can address the attendant at the counter, an assistant from the back hands the man his coat and apologizes sincerely for the mistake. Again you breathe a sigh of relief. You think to yourself, “Man, all I have to do is sit back and enjoy the party, because this company has everything under control.”

So you do just that; and that is the same thing you can do with God in 2015. Once you’ve given your cares to God (1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 55:22),  you can rest, knowing that the moment before you think you need to intervene, you’ll see that God’s already handled it. So I pray that you let this be your method of operation (m.o.) in 2015. Give your plans to God. Don’t go “trying to fix out of anxiety” your money problems when bills arise, work with God, because “God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to [God’s] riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Don’t go getting all worked up when your passion isn’t producing the fruit you desire, because the psalmist said, “Commit your way to the God; trust in [God], and [the God] will act” (Psalms 37:5).

Just like you wouldn’t wipe up a spill at your dinner party after you’ve hired someone else to take care of it, the same goes for taking into your own hands the issues of your life when it has been promised that “[God] will fulfill [God’s] purpose for [you]” (Psalms 138:8). It is “for freedom Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1), so why not walk in the freedom of doing what you really love all the time, because that is what resting is all about? Amen.

Prayer for the day: God, now that we’re on the same team, give me the grace to leave everything that causes me stress, disturbs my peace, makes me afraid, or brings me anxiety in your hands; and get some rest in 2015. Amen.

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.