Active… For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
This verse came to mind when I saw the word active. God’s word is active. I am so thankful it is alive and active. I have experienced it in my life, and witnessed it in other people’s lives. The Word of God can connect with people in a way that my own cannot. The Word of God can shine light in dark spaces in my own heart and other people’s hearts that we did not even know existed, or we thought was well hid. As I think of this verse and the characteristics of the Word of God, I am reminded that all Scripture comes together and how we need to read verses in context so we do not miss the intent of the verse. So I head back to Hebrews 4 to find out the context and the author’s intent.
Verse 11 says,”Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.” Effort? Rest? I notice a therefore, so I back up further, and start at the top where it talks about creation and how God rested on the seventh day, and then invites us into that rest. It talks about the Israelites who did not enter into God’s rest even though they could have with Joshua and Caleb. They did not have faith to rest in God’s provision. It goes on to say that there is still an invitation open to enter into God’s rest, following God’s example at the dawn of the world. The author warns us with David’s words to heed the words we hear.
The reader is admonished to actively enter into God’s rest, and then our verse comes, the alive and active Word of God that is able to show us those spaces where we are not at rest with God. Everything is laid bare before God. We can enter into rest with God, and not be fearful of such exposure because of Jesus, who covers us and advocates on our behalf. We can lean into the Word of God as it actively searches our hearts and separates truth from lies, unrest from rest. We can trust that God is faithful to do this work in us. We can rest in God’s hands because He has us. He has not lead us to a land of rest to destroy us. We can follow Joshua and Caleb’s example and trust that although there are giants in the land, God is bigger and the fruit there is worth the efforts. We can let God be active, so we can have His rest.
* I am joining Five Minute Fridays in a 31 day Writing Challenge. Each day I will be writing on a different word prompt for at least 5 minutes for the month of October.
**Check out 2018’s 31 Day Writing Challenge https://inkblotlife.com/category/write-31-days-2018/
Inkblot Life 
Yeah, it might be good to rest,
and maybe there’d be less pain,
but my hard soul doth protest
for fear I might not rise again.
I have to keep the gears a-turning,
hard shoulder to the harder wheel,
because, my dear, my body’s burning
and I must become the Man of Steel.
I’ll thereby force my feet ahead,
and failing arms will do their stuff.
I will rest when I am dead,
but today I must be cold and tough.
Sometime, never, I’ll relax,
but today, Lord, please have my back.
LikeLike
I appreciate your way of processing your life. I do think that the rest is in the active. God designed us and if He is inviting us into rest then it is for a purpose. I know in my own life I miss Him and what He is doing when I forging my way forward being active without Him. I do not think rest in this context is the antithesis of active. It is about our souls resting in Him in my opinion. I know people who have walk through hell and back but they had a peace because they rested in God in His plans. The Israelites were still going to have to fight battles and move in order to take the promise land. The rest was in God’s leading and provision in the middle of the land with giants. Praying for you that the peace that passes all understanding would help you find rest in your soul for your challenging journey.
LikeLike