Could You Use a Nap?

Do you remember when we were kids and there was no way any of us would let a nap get in the way of a good day outside, or with friends, or doing something! Even if we were bored, most of us were not so frustrated with our boredom that we would stop to taking a time out in the middle of the day for a sleep break. And yet, many of us are finding it hard to keep our eyes open throughout the day. If it weren't for Starbucks, Collectivo, and (name your local favorite coffee you can actually afford), many of us would likely need 45 minutes of rest in the middle of the day and a nap... honestly sounds pretty good about now!

Ever been so busy that you wouldn't remember those simple moments of quiet if you hadn't Instagrammed them? Working two full time jobs and trying to keep a prayer life up to date and my family well cared for... the lack of rest makes the list of things to get done, overwhelming. And for those who just kicked off the new semester, first papers/projects and mid terms are just a few weeks away. There are days we can sense guilt tugging at any sense of peace we have. You can just feel it! It's amazing the way anxiety just creeps into our lives.

And yet God doesn't want us to even go there. The Bible says things like "Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or wear..." (Matthew 6:25) and "Do not be anxious about anything..." (Philippians 4:6) And we read that and think... I'd like to have that sense of calm HOW DO I DO THAT?!? WHERE CAN I FIND THAT?!?

And yet, the answer is in the Bible texts. Philippians 4 will go onto say to us "but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." The Matthew 6 section will say "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" And then we get the beautiful encouragement that Jesus gives to you - "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

It can be as simple as planning 5-15 minutes of quiet time/day with an open Bible, an open heart, and an honest conversation with Jesus, which can make the difference between feeling rested and feeling anxious. No, reading the Bible isn't a magic button you push to get everything you want when you want it, but it will give you the one thing needful - a foundation to your day and your life, in relationship with the God who knows you better than you know yourself and loves you with an everlasting love.

As you go through the next few weeks, we want you to know that a team of people are praying for you. Awake and Alive was started to serve you for Jesus sake and to do what we can to bring you Jesus as best we can - so that you can find REST for your anxious hearts and your restless souls. We pray that you would be refreshed by the Holy Spirit, to do what only you can do today for Jesus' sake and to take joy in the way God uses you, even when you feel like you've got nothing to give. You Are Loved!

Hope you get a period of rest in today!

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