It's been a long few weeks around here recently. We've had a lot going on at the church (Flag Football, Trunk or Treat planning, funerals, preparing for 2 Christmas programs, music lessons, a new staff member, etc...) and we've had a lot of church members in the hospital and just people being sick in general. And because of all of that (plus my own personal junk), I'm tired. It's not so much that I'm tired physically (although there is some of that), it's more of a weariness thing.
And I don't think it's just me. I look around on Wednesdays and Sundays and see a lot of people who are tired and hurting. They are going through things at home and at work that I probably can't even imagine. And so when I pray for them (and for me), I just pray that Jesus would give us all a little bit of rest. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."
One of the ways I get recharged and refreshed is simply to rest in Jesus' presence. I love singing and playing instruments, but many times the best part of worship is simply to close my eyes and bask in the presence of Jesus. And while I can often do that in our corporate worship times on Sundays and Wednesdays, it's sometimes easiest to just play some music by myself, close my eyes, put my head back, and let Jesus wash my weariness away.
Recently, I heard a new song that the Lord has used to help me rest in His presence. The song is called "Linger" and it's from Gateway Worship (written by Tim Sheppard). It simply says that all I want is to linger a little bit longer in the presence of Jesus. He's my dwelling place and refuge from the storms of life. It is a beautiful song and one that the Lord is really using to calm my spirit and give me rest. Here's a link if you want to listen to it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tycmdu1217Q&start_radio=1&list=RDtycmdu1217Q
Maybe it can help you rest too.
Worship Big! (well, in this case, small)
Brad
