VIBRANT REST
DRAPER’S PAPER ROUTE
VIBRANT REST
by Adam Carroll Draper
Over a decade ago, my daughter, Jordan, introduced me to Mumford and Sons. We have listened to a lot of music together over the years, so she knew that I would love Sigh No More (the whole CD). I owe her big time for that. (As an aside, yeah that was over a decade ago. Are you kidding me?). I have been finding myself singing After the Storm lately. The chorus goes: “And there will come a time, you’ll see, with no more tears; and love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears. Get over your hill and see what you find there with grace in your hearts and flowers in your hair.” It fits this time, doesn’t it?
Regardless of the name that this time (of the tyranny of microbes) is eventually given, and despite the pain that is inflicted upon us, this is just a moment in time. I am not overlooking the suffering, but the truth is right in the middle of our experience. For one, Jesus said that he is the truth. He knew all of this from the beginning and he knows where it is going. There is a plan for us of “welfare and not of calamity to give us a future and a hope.” I don’t need to cry out for eschatological sensitivity. We are all pretty much thinking about that already. I am being lead to discuss stillness and rest in this uncertainty, however.
In last week’s missive, I talked about the profound help meditation has been for some of the men who have lived at the House of Prayer. My heart is being pulled toward a placid insistence to beckon the Messiah’s Bride to stillness in a way similar to how I keep finding myself singing After the Storm (or perhaps this pull is part of what reminds me of the song).
Rest should not be confused with indolence. God’s rest is vibrant. That’s not a dichotomy. We don’t faint or grow weary in spirit, in joyful hope of the coming of our King. This prepares us against angst and against dismay when terror cries havoc upon this earth. Now is the time for the preparation of our hearts – having our feet “shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” Certainly, praise and worship, hymns and songs prepare our hearts, and we need to know scripture. We also need to recognize his voice. Meditation is essential for this. Last week I wrote about the importance of setting aside at least ten minutes a day to be alone and do nothing but relax in the Lord’s presence, rest and be quiet (not read or sing) to experience peace. He is the Prince of Peace and he gave his peace to us.
It is usually important to begin meditation by getting comfortable (no need for a particular position – don’t have to learn the lotus). Once comfortable, it is easier to remember that you have set aside this time to relax. This seemingly insignificant task can be difficult for people, so it can take determination and insistence. Then comes the relaxing part. I always begin by worshipping and acknowledging the Father, Abba, our Dad. I remember that he is why I am alive (in whom I live and breathe and have my being). I specifically thank Dad for his son, Yeshuah, our Messiah, without whom I could not come so boldly before the throne. While I am acknowledging this, I take very deep breaths, hold them for a bit and exhale. With each breath I recall that the word for breath in Hebrew is ruach, which also means spirit. This recognizes the presence of Ruach HaKodesh, the Holy Spirit in all that I am – my very breath.
The deep breathing brings in a lot of oxygen and naturally calms the body. Using imagination to visualize being in some happy place can be a very helpful way to relax. I like to imagine myself on a beach at sunset with the waves calmly lapping around my feet. That almost always works because it allows a moment to remember times of laughter and love - and that God is love. This naturally brings surrendering to him in trust and in ease, knowing that he loves us and longs for these times of intimacy with us.
Just taking this time to breathe deeply and pray is a good start. It is simple, but taking time away from the dictates of the day can violate all our voices of alarm, the facts that drive this world, which command recognition that the early bird gets the worm.
Why do we want the worm? (Selah)
We have been hearing about latter days for several thousand years, so long that many have come to dismiss the thought that they will come. Don’t be deceived. The Lord will return and we need to be alert and awake. He told us so. As I have been saying, the pull of that day (almost like gravity) is leading me to remind the Bride to pray. Beloved, we must incline our ears to him and attune our hearts to him. One day, that sky will part and we must have ears that hear so that we do not turn back for a cloak, or hesitate to consider what we are going to do for dinner.
One last thing: we do this together. He calls us up together. We should prepare together. That day is coming. Glory is coming to an awakening Bride of Christ. That is so exciting. I am going to continue to discuss ways of meditation. It is time to prepare, beloved!
“Get over your hill and see what you find there with grace in your hearts and flowers in your hair.”
If you got anything out of this missive, please give it a thumbs up, comment and/or share it. It helps. I sincerely appreciate that you took the time to read it.