Finding Rest

The concept of “rest” has been weighing heavily on my mind. Rest is not a mere destination, but a profound shift in perspective. It is the ability to relinquish the pursuit of outcomes and embrace a state of trust and surrender.

As a Christian, rest for me means placing unwavering faith in the sovereignty of God and His unwavering love for me. It has taken time, but I have recently rediscovered the belief that God holds absolute control over my life, and His plans are woven with divine wisdom.

I have begun to intentionally cultivate gratitude for the blessings that grace my present, and for the things that remain.

In fact, I have crossed out my prayer list, for I will no longer impose timelines upon God. He is the Almighty, and He will orchestrate events in His perfect timing and according to His infinite understanding.

I desire to rest today, to fully embrace and savour the gifts that were once the subject of yesterday’s prayers.

At the beginning of this year, I embarked on a journey with a lengthy list of prayer requests and goals, presenting them to God daily as though He were a genie bound to fulfill my every wish.

Four months into the year, I have come to realize that none of those prayers on that list truly hold significance. Nothing on that list will grant me the rest and peace that my soul yearns for.

I have had to reflect on a sobering question:

“Chidinma, can you recall a time when you were ever truly at rest or at peace?”

I have been in a constant state of pursuit, always chasing the next objective, the next item to cross off the list.

In this unrelenting cycle of striving, I have missed out on the blessings that surround me.

Today, I made the conscious decision to cease this futile chase. I will not strive to achieve anything new this year. Instead, I will embrace stillness for the first time in a long while, and genuinely savor the blessings that adorn my life.

True rest is a state of being, found only in Jesus.

My prayers have taken on a new form today. I see the vibrant colours that paint the world around me. I breathe in the fragrant air. I hold my husband close, cherishing his presence. I truly see my colleagues. I listen attentively to others. I exchange smiles with strangers. Rest is a state of being.

I surrender the pursuit of outcomes, for God alone knows what is best. God bestows true rest. I will gratefully accept it.