{"id":3534,"date":"2023-07-10T14:22:15","date_gmt":"2023-07-10T14:22:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/?p=3534"},"modified":"2023-07-10T14:22:15","modified_gmt":"2023-07-10T14:22:15","slug":"rest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/2023\/07\/10\/rest\/","title":{"rendered":"Rest"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rest<\/span>
\nSixth Sunday after Pentecost<\/span>
\nJuly 2, 2023<\/span>
\nPsalm 145:13b-20<\/span>
\nMatthew 11:25-30<\/span>
\nJane Shelton, CRE<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"\n<\/p>\n

What makes us weary?\u00a0 I dare say it is the constant demands that are asked of us.\u00a0 The appointments that have to be met, the relative or friend that needs our care and attention, the shuffling of children to their activities, and on and on it goes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where can we hope to find rest? Is there something we\u2019re not seeing because we are so weary? What is it that makes us so weary we can\u2019t see the one thing we need to see?<\/span><\/p>\n

If you have been watching my Centering Prayer sessions, I have been sharing readings from \u201cTowards Rest, Discovering the Qualities of Rest for Our Lives of Faith.\u201d\u00a0 It is notably stated that, \u2018we live in an age of busyness\u2019 where \u2018we are pulled by the persuasions of productivity, performance, and prestige.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

We get caught up in all the demands, not that others put on us, rather demands we put on ourselves.\u00a0 We are driven to achieve because we have been taught that achievement equals success.\u00a0 And how much success do we need?\u00a0 How much more do we need to do to accomplish all that will help us be the best and measure up to our peers?<\/span><\/p>\n

Somehow we have lost sight of the fact that God gave us the example of rest in the very beginning of creation.\u00a0 We learn in Genesis that after God had created all these things, he rested on the seventh day.\u00a0 He rested from all the work he had done to enjoy it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When we attempt to rest from our hurried lives, we experience an internal war between being calm and still to what has become learned behavior of being on the move with all sorts of noise that fills our lives.\u00a0 As I write this very sermon, I am up at 2 a.m. because sleep does not come for a mind that doesn\u2019t rest.\u00a0 \u00a0I know all of you came here today to receive a message.\u00a0 Or maybe you came here for the fellowship or to enjoy the music or the quiet.\u00a0 Whatever the reason, you certainly would not come here and not expect me to deliver a message.\u00a0 In any event, while I acknowledge I require sustainable rest, there is conflict in giving up the demands required to free the mind for rest.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rest is a God-like thing that is a sacred action.\u00a0 In rest we find we are able to actually be with God, to experience a relationship with God.\u00a0 When we are able to clear the field, so to speak, it opens the opportunity to just be so that we can see all that is good.\u00a0 Be aware of our surroundings, nature, the birds, and the sea.\u00a0 Be present in expectation of what work God is doing in our lives as we rest with him.\u00a0 Opening our minds and souls to whatever God provides for us.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Imagine if you had been present with God in the beginning during all the works of God\u2019s creation.\u00a0 Imagine all the energy required to create the earth and everything on it.\u00a0 Imagine all the wonder and beauty, and when it was finished, you stepped back from it, sat down with God looking over all of its beauty and wonder, and you rested with God!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the beginning, Just like creation was good, when God rested it was also good.\u00a0 God gave us this example to remind us to stop and enjoy all that is good.\u00a0 It allows us to experience harmony and rhythms created by God.<\/span><\/p>\n

We tell ourselves that we will rest when the work is done, but then there is more work to be done, and on and on it goes.\u00a0 When we rest, we are able to be present with others, to hear what they are saying to us, rather than acknowledging what they are saying without really listening.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rest allows us to stop looking inward at ourselves with all of our unhealthy obsessions and worries so that we can focus outward toward having child-like fun with others; simply breathing and enjoying nature.<\/span><\/p>\n

God shows us rest as a choice that is a blessing for our lives so that we can thrive in a divine connection to God.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When Jesus says, \u201ccome to me, and I will give you rest,\u201d he is inviting us into relationship with God.\u00a0 He is saying, give all your worries and burdens to me and go rest with God.<\/span><\/p>\n

For those who attended Contemplative Service Friday evening, you were invited to consider what rest looks like to you, so I\u2019ll ask all of you here now, what does rest look like to you?\u00a0 (Pause) Maybe it has been so long since you truly rested that you don\u2019t even remember what it looks like or feels like to rest.<\/span><\/p>\n

Friday evening we had an assortment of photographs that I invited everyone to consider for what rest might look like to them if they could choose to rest.\u00a0 The picture on the front of your bulletin is one of those.\u00a0 (Show some of the other pictures if any are left over, and describe them\u2026take them closer to the camera to show and talk about).<\/span><\/p>\n

Along with these pictures, I offered some scriptures to consider that I\u2019ll read to you, and you may want to take a moment to clear your mind and close your eyes as you enter a period of rest and listen:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.\u201d\u00a0 Psalm 3:5<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.\u201d\u00a0 Psalm 4:8<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, \u201cCome with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.\u201d\u00a0 Mark 6:31<\/span><\/p>\n

In each of these scriptures, we find protection and peace that is provided by our Lord who says, \u201cCome with me, and I will give you rest.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cCome with me by yourself to a quiet place and get some rest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

God knows we need rest, and he makes it possible for us to choose rest with him.\u00a0 He gave us the God-like ability to create, create, create, then rest and dwell in the presence of our Lord to be refreshed and renewed to experience spirit-filled creation supplied by the Holy Spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n

David proclaimed, \u201cIt is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved.\u201d\u00a0 (Psalm 127:2)\u00a0\u00a0 When we live in a constant anxious state, we lose our joy.\u00a0 We lose our connection with the divine and holy, and then we just \u201care\u201d just working frantically without any vision for what God can make possible where we only see impossible.<\/span><\/p>\n

When we stop to rest, God shows us what is possible.\u00a0 God gives us the gifts needed to create and the gifts to rest and enjoy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTowards Rest\u201d states, \u2018When we are too impatient to wait, we miss the better doors that God opens for us.\u00a0 We believe the common falsehood that we must work harder to achieve meaning, or else we are left disappointed and incapable.\u00a0 Ultimately, we fear that by resting from all manner of labor, we will cease to prove our worthiness of being loved by actions, accomplishments and acclaim.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

When we do not rest with God, we become so worried about doors closing that we fail to see opportunities that exist in the doors that are already open.\u00a0 And we fail to see the new doors that are opening.\u00a0 We have our lists of what we have decided to get done, that we miss the things that God wants us to get done.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet God\u2019s arms remain open, waiting for us to come rest a while.<\/span><\/p>\n

When we first started doing centering prayer, which is a form of meditation, a quiet time to rest with God, we started out with resting for five minutes.\u00a0 The idea being to not think about anything other than resting in the presence of God, and let God commune with us.\u00a0 When we go to God, we ask for things for ourselves and for others, and I\u2019m certainly not suggested we should not pray.\u00a0 However, we also have been given the example to just rest with God.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember the first few times, I wouldn\u2019t last two seconds before I was thinking about something that I was supposed to have done at work, for instance.\u00a0 Then I\u2019d re-center, and two seconds later, I\u2019d think about what I was going to do when I got home, or I would think about a conversation that I had had with a friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was really hard.\u00a0 Those who have done centering prayer, you know what I am talking about.\u00a0 It\u2019s still hard!<\/span><\/p>\n

But once you get the hang of it, once you understand how to let your mind rest, and just sit quietly, you begin to understand what rest with the holy really is about, and there is no better rest.\u00a0 When you keep doing it, you begin to crave those times when you can get away for quiet rest.\u00a0 You look for opportunities for a Sabbath.<\/span><\/p>\n

When we rest, we see the world differently, and more importantly, we can see our relationship with God differently.\u00a0 We begin to see the ways and directions God wants us to create, to play, to love, and to be filled with joy.<\/span><\/p>\n

C.S. Lewis famously wrote, \u201cJoy is the serious business of heaven.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In rest we find joy and comfort, and can delight in all we are being called to live into in a new vision as we proclaim all we have learned from Jesus\u2019 teachings.\u00a0 Having a new vision takes courage.\u00a0 Stepping out in faith takes courage.\u00a0 Stopping long enough to find a quiet place takes courage.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is my prayer for this congregation and the PNC that you take time to rest.\u00a0 Turn negative thoughts of what you don\u2019t have and see all the gifts that have been provided by God that are right here in our presence now.\u00a0 How do we stop being busy so that we rest, recognize these gifts, and capitalize on those gifts so we can continue walking together in God\u2019s creation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In order to know true rest, we must be willing to surrender all our burdens to Jesus.\u00a0 I invite each of you to find a quiet place, and turn off the noise.\u00a0 Go by yourself to a quiet place with Jesus, and see the new vision God is creating for First Valdosta, and know that it will be good and it will be blessed.\u00a0 Amen.<\/span><\/p>\n

*Cover Art by Unsplash, free domain<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rest Sixth Sunday after Pentecost July 2, 2023 Psalm 145:13b-20 Matthew 11:25-30 Jane Shelton, CRE What makes us weary?\u00a0 I dare say it is the constant demands that are asked of us.\u00a0 The appointments that have to be met, the relative or friend that needs our care and attention, the shuffling of children to their […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[76],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nRest - First Presbyterian Church Valdosta<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/2023\/07\/10\/rest\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Rest\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Rest Sixth Sunday after Pentecost July 2, 2023 Psalm 145:13b-20 Matthew 11:25-30 Jane Shelton, CRE What makes us weary?\u00a0 I dare say it is the constant demands that are asked of us.\u00a0 The appointments that have to be met, the relative or friend that needs our care and attention, the shuffling of children to their […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/2023\/07\/10\/rest\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"First Presbyterian Church Valdosta\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-07-10T14:22:15+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Rest8-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"FirstPresValdosta\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"FirstPresValdosta\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/2023\/07\/10\/rest\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/2023\/07\/10\/rest\/\",\"name\":\"Rest - First Presbyterian Church Valdosta\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2023-07-10T14:22:15+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-07-10T14:22:15+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/#\/schema\/person\/1d3eeafb2456fa0dce8e25168b4519d5\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/2023\/07\/10\/rest\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/2023\/07\/10\/rest\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/2023\/07\/10\/rest\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Rest\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/\",\"name\":\"First Presbyterian Church Valdosta\",\"description\":\"Worship, Fellowship, Spiritual Formation, and Service\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/#\/schema\/person\/1d3eeafb2456fa0dce8e25168b4519d5\",\"name\":\"FirstPresValdosta\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e88b6034c22eb0450a8a4299a3690c2e?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e88b6034c22eb0450a8a4299a3690c2e?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"FirstPresValdosta\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/author\/firstpresvaldosta\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Rest - First Presbyterian Church Valdosta","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/2023\/07\/10\/rest\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Rest","og_description":"Rest Sixth Sunday after Pentecost July 2, 2023 Psalm 145:13b-20 Matthew 11:25-30 Jane Shelton, CRE What makes us weary?\u00a0 I dare say it is the constant demands that are asked of us.\u00a0 The appointments that have to be met, the relative or friend that needs our care and attention, the shuffling of children to their […]","og_url":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/2023\/07\/10\/rest\/","og_site_name":"First Presbyterian Church Valdosta","article_published_time":"2023-07-10T14:22:15+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1707,"url":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Rest8-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"FirstPresValdosta","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"FirstPresValdosta","Est. reading time":"9 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/2023\/07\/10\/rest\/","url":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/2023\/07\/10\/rest\/","name":"Rest - First Presbyterian Church Valdosta","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/#website"},"datePublished":"2023-07-10T14:22:15+00:00","dateModified":"2023-07-10T14:22:15+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/#\/schema\/person\/1d3eeafb2456fa0dce8e25168b4519d5"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/2023\/07\/10\/rest\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/2023\/07\/10\/rest\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/2023\/07\/10\/rest\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Rest"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/","name":"First Presbyterian Church Valdosta","description":"Worship, Fellowship, Spiritual Formation, and Service","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/#\/schema\/person\/1d3eeafb2456fa0dce8e25168b4519d5","name":"FirstPresValdosta","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e88b6034c22eb0450a8a4299a3690c2e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e88b6034c22eb0450a8a4299a3690c2e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"FirstPresValdosta"},"url":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/author\/firstpresvaldosta\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3534"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3534"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3534\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3536,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3534\/revisions\/3536"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3534"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3534"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3534"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}