Our world is a busy world. People are constantly speaking about the “life-work balance”, and desiring to find ways to rest efficiently and effectively amongst education, work, sport, hobbies, and time with family.

I know more than a few of us are thankful for a good ebb and flow to the year, which includes school holidays and summer.

Even in our churches, we take a bit of a break from programs and school Scripture.

Yet though life looks very different for the Godhead, and looked different here on earth for Jesus, we see examples from the Almighty of rest! 

God rested on the seventh day after he made the world we live in (Gen 2:2-3), though I am sure for him it was not tiresome work.

And Jesus we have seen sleeping in a boat (Matt 8:23, Mark 4:38), taking time to pray in solitude (Luke 5:16, 6:12-13, 22:39-4), and directing his disciples to take time away from crowds and busy days of ministry to rest (Mark 6:31-32).

Often we look at rest as time to watch TV as a family, to sleep in, get a cuppa, or maybe take a surf.

Qoheleth in Ecclesiastes reminds people in a world where all is vapour to eat, drink, and be merry (Ecc 8:15) so we can know that it is good and right to take time to do these things, for they are part of enjoying life, which God really wants us to do.

But we not must forget where ultimate rest is found: in Christ (Matt 11:28-30).

If we are turning to Christ for rest, we must also be sure that we are turning towards his word, for we know that Jesus is the word of God (John 1:1) and that he has gifted us with his scriptures to assist us in living holy lives.

And of course we can look forward to perfectly dwelling with Christ in eternity as we enter his final rest when he returns (Heb 4).

RAYNE ORANGE

It is so easy to get down considering the world we live in today.

We can reflect on the several tragic youth suicides in our region, the health diagnoses of those we love, and the attempts to publicly oppress free speech and make those who believe in the Bible out to be fools.

There is plenty of sin in the world to rightly feel sorrow for.

However, we cannot let the calamity of a fallen world weigh us down when the Bible tells us to have confidence and to persevere, because the hope we have in the sacrifice of Christ is a great hope indeed! 

Let us reflect on the words from the Bible:

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

We are called in this passage to steadfastness, not being overwhelmed by our anxieties. 

We are called to keep meeting together as a church, so that we can be encouraged by each other’s consistency in striving towards Christ, being dedicated to the Bible and the glorification of God. 

Jamberoo Anglican is fortunate, for we work to act on these words.

We are a body who trusts the Lord when the world seems dark, who is consistent and committed, and greatly anticipates the return of our king.

Let us be encouraged and remember the words of Paul to the Philippians:

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7).

RAYNE ORANGE