Where the Good Stuff Happens
I remember being in the sixth grade, walking toward the door of my classroom. Once inside, I made my way across the room to my seat, which was in the row farthest from the door. The room was full of kids, some standing, some seated as class would be starting soon. All was normal and well. Then I looked down and noticed that I was wearing nothing but my underwear.
Suddenly, all was not well. Alarms went off in my head. I was embarrassed and afraid. I frantically searched for ideas on how I could get out that door without anyone noticing my undressed condition. I felt anxious and unsafe.
Of course it was a dream. I was saved only by awakening to reality.
But isn't it very similar to the Adam and Eve experience when they chose the knowledge of good and evil? They were living in a condition of harmony and peace, but suddenly, all was not well. They saw that they were naked. Fear and shame were triggered. They felt unsafe.
It was going to be hard for them after that. They would live in their new-found motivation of fear and shame. They would be their own generator of life. They would live as if they were unsafe, striving to protect and provide for themselves.
Humans have since lived in a general feeling of danger, not feeling safe. Anxiety, restlessness, and sleepless nights are common occurrences. Many live with a sense of being flawed and not worthy of love. So many selfish deeds are done from a motivation of fear and a sense that all is not well.
I have good news! We do have an option, actually an antidote for that restlessness. If God can be the source for our life, we can rest. If God truly cares and knows how to work the ultimate best for us, then we can know that we are in the safest place we can be. Our autonomic nervous system can operate in it's resting state, refreshing our body and mind the way God intended.
God wants us to know that we are not alone and on our own. That's the reason for the gospel. We don't have to carry the weight of this world upon ourselves. There is a place of rest and a perpetual refreshing.
"The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever." - Isaiah 32:17
Our salvation has always been about rest for our souls. We find rest in God's great love and care for us. We find that He is wonderful. Faith says that we can trust Him, and even in the midst of a storm, it is well with our soul.