Volume 115: Rest in Denying Yourself

 

Leviticus 23:3 - Six days shall work be done but on the seventh day is a Sabbath day of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work. It is a Sabbath to the Lord in all your dwelling places. 

"The Sabbath is more than a religious duty; it is a gift of grace from a God who knows us and loves us."

"In loving wisdom, God calls us to stop each week for one day."

"Every Sabbath reminds us of the ultimate Sabbath of rest found only in our substitute and redeemer, Jesus."

Once again, Paul David Tripp reminded us of the beautiful truths about the Sabbath! That in the busyness of this world, we are invited to slow down and rest. To embrace our limits of time, energy, wisdom and righteousness and surrender to a God who has no limits. 

Beginning on January 1, 2025, I set out to only take the stairs up and down to our 3rd floor office each day. And I have kept to it every day (ya, that's right! go me!)... except for one time... It was Kelsey's first day of work and we pulled into the parking lot at the same time. As we walked into the office, she went straight for the elevator and I felt I couldn't leave her in mid conversation. So I took the elevator, discussing her first day of work. 

No judgement. No frustration. Just together. 

At Yellerton's bachelorette, we went hiking on a trail none of us had been to before. To our surprise, a majority of the hike was a steady incline up and up and up, with no sight of flat land. One of Yellerton's friends, Emily, became very tired and wasn't sure if she could keep on. Without any words or desire for praise, Yellerton hung back with Emily, walking right by her side. 

No judgement. No frustration. Just together. 

This week, I agreed to run with Nikki at the track at Memorial Park. Let's just be clear - Nikki has run multiple half marathons and I can barely run a mile... but hey what's there to lose! As we "ran" around the track, Nikki kept a very slow pace for me, running right by my side and talked to me as a distraction from my misery. Even though she could have sped along, she hung back, never complaining. 

No judgment. No frustration. Just together. 

Three randommmm stories... 

Yet, all a similar theme. 

It's a beautiful thing when people get on other people's level. To have a willingness to slow down and go the other's speed. 

To deny oneself for the sake of another. 

We see Jesus do it all throughout the gospels. He constantly denies His time, status, energy, emotions, etc. to meet the people in front of Him, exactly where they are. 

The lepers.

The demon-possessed.

The blind.

The 5,000 people needing dinner.

The adulteress. 

The tax collector.

Jesus never hesitated in meeting people as they were. He accepted them and loved them. 

This week, I heard a sermon on Mark 1:16-18 of the calling of Simeon and Andrew, where Jesus gives them an invitation: "Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men."

He didn't say, "Follow me and become ________." Instead, the invitation says, "come exactly as you are and I will do the work in you."

If Jesus doesn't expect us to change for a relationship with Him, then why do we want others to change for us??? Seems silly eh! 

Here's to meeting people where they're at! Here's to slowing down, removing our own agenda and opening our eyes to the needs of the people that God places in front of us. 

Jesus would always take the elevator. 

Jesus would have hung back on the hike. 

Jesus would have run a slow pace. 

May we continue to live lives like Jesus. And love others as He did.