find rest from your striving

God is sovereign. He is glorious and above all, and He is very near. He is at work in this world, and nothing happens that has not been approved by Him.

For those who are in Christ, everything that happens in this world and in our lives is being used by God for our good. Everything. Our family circumstances, the situations at work or school, our friends, the people with whom we live, our illness or health, our joy or sorrow, the life and death of our friends and family, our successes, our failures, our own disappointments and the things that we did to contribute to that disappointment, our passions and the things that we do to live out those passions, our thoughts, our dreams, our daily tasks and to-do lists....all of these things are under the blanket of God's sovereignty, and all of these things are being worked together for our good. They are working together for our good because God is at work in them and through them, and He is at work in us as well. The Spirit is alive and active, and He is bringing us to a greater understanding of Him and to a closer, deeper, more intimate relationship with Him. This is ultimate goodness in our lives. God is giving us more of Himself through the daily events in our lives.

If we know with assurance that God, in His sovereignty, is in control of the entire universe and the events of this world and our lives, if we can be entirely sure that God is for us when we are in Christ, if we know that God is in relationship with us and speaks to us and through us in our daily, earthly lives.....if we know all of these things, why do we strive?

I have been a silent striver for my entire life. I've been manipulating success for as long as I can remember--even in the days when fear overwhelmed my entire life and worked its way into all of my thoughts, motives and actions. On the outside, I looked like a fearful avoider, but I was silently striving for something that I couldn't seem to attain. I longed for more, and I tried to discreetly manouver my way into situations of gain. There was no rest.

God's sovereign rule and care brings deep rest and peace. If God is for us, who can be against us? We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. His overwhelming grace and mercy reign in the lives of the redeemed.

Trust that He is God. Trust that He has not let go or turned His back, trust that He cares more than any human ever could, trust His character. Trust that He has already won. Trust Him, and find rest and peace.

Trust and obey--with assurance. Trust that the Spirit is alive and active in and through you. He is guiding, and He will not quit. He will guide you to eternal glory.

Trust and obey. Read the Word. Put His living Word into action with a sensitivity to what the Spirit might want to show you through your obedience. Allow God to lead and direct you as you begin to make plans that are seemingly in line with His Word. Learn to hold plans loosely and allow the Spirit to work in the moment by moment living out of your life. He is very near.

Seek God. Trust Him. Ask Him to show you His Kingdom coming, to show you His Kingdom which is already here. Pursue Him with open hands. Allow Him to use you to be a part of that Kingdom. Open wide your heart and allow God to fill you and to overflow. Allow Him to break you. Don't run. Rest.

Brothers and sisters, please take the time to find rest in the goodness and grace of our God. Trust His wisdom and knowledge and care. Walk in His truth, and allow the freedom of Christ to rule in your hearts. Find rest from your striving. He is God.