Soul Rest is Found Here
by: Jessie Taillon
“Why am I so tired,” I wondered, entirely puzzled by how worn out I felt. It was not the kind of tired a nap could fix. Rather it was the deep ache of an exhausted soul in need of some rest and restoration.
Sure, my family had just come out of a hard season. It was a season with a God-sized calling that regularly had me up before the sun, seeking His face, praying intentionally and reading the Word like my life depended on it, because I knew that God’s purpose could only be achieved by Him. And of course, He did immeasurably more than all I asked or imagined (Eph. 3:20). God’s work was mighty and undeniable, but when it was all over, I was tired.
Can you relate to feeling “soul tired”?
As we transitioned to a new season, God gifted us a time of rest, yet I was left wondering how we would actually feel more rested. In the months prior I had been abiding in all the ways I knew how, so what was missing that left me feeling drained?
Within the first week of our season of rest, God was speaking clearly through His Word, as one verse continuously popped up: “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
“How do I do this?” I thought.
Besides the obvious ways God was leading my family to rest, like sleeping and playing more, the game changer came exactly from what this verse commands: being still -- taking time every day to physically sit still with God for the sole purpose of being with Him.
As I began to sit in God’s presence, my loving Father revealed what I had been forsaking this past season as I fought hard, mostly by my own strength, to walk with Him. I had been neglecting the streams of living water in exchange for small sips that kept me running. I thought I knew what I needed and what my daily quiet time with God should look like. I had remained in control, the one in charge, and hardly truly rested.
BEING STILL with God requires us to come before Him with no agenda other than to connect; coming before Him only to be with Him. It means surrendering what it will look like and believing that God will do what He wants with that time. And it will be the best -- for His glory and for our good. We can’t truly rest while we’re still being the one in charge.
It’s summed up beautifully in Psalm 23:1-3, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul.”
Being still with God invites us into a posture of surrender, allowing God to take His rightful place as the good Shepherd, and us, His sheep, to submit to His leading. What would happen if instead of coming with our plans, problems and presumptions, we came only with our imperfect presence to sit in His perfect peace?
We would find the rest our souls crave.
Let’s come into His presence for His gentle sifting, convicting and forgiving. We will find peace in letting go, refreshed in surrender.
Let’s come for the courage-instilling, faith-filling, identity-reminding, next-step-guiding presence of God. He is the one who heals brokenness, restores wholeness, and quiets every fear. He plants and waters hope. He encourages and whispers, “Don’t quit.”
Let’s come as we are and stay for a while. Soul rest is found here.
Jessie Taillon is a wife and mom of littles. She has a passion for pursuing the full life Jesus promises and encouraging others through life coaching and building community. Jessie lives in Cochrane, AB, co-leading a local outreach ministry to moms, and serving at Pathway Church.