Winter, for some, is a season you look forward to in the summer and fall. Anxiously awaiting the cold nights to light a fire, and pull all the blankets out, to make warm and hearty meals, and to gaze upon the awe-inspiring snowfall.
But there is another thing that happens. Naturally, we find that we are forced to slow down in part because of the cold and the darkness. There are many who struggle with this and find themselves restless; hurrying to get through the season just to be able to do everything they were accustomed to before the stillness.
But what if this is the season of rest you need?
Recently, in my private time in the Word, I’ve taken notice of the scriptures that depict Jesus going away from work whether early before morning or in the midst of the day, to spend time in prayer or to rest.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
I find it interesting…intriguing really, that Jesus said, “learn of me“. Do we as women, wives, and mothers learn of Him? And do we come unto Jesus for everything, including rest that we so desperately need to meet the needs of our husbands, children, home, the church, and beyond? As believers and followers of Christ, we should be walking in the example that Jesus set before us.
May I exhort you, sister, to come unto Him and learn of Him this winter; and every day for that matter?
“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.”
Mark 1:35
Even Jesus, the Son of God, the member of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Ghost) went to a solitary (or private, lonesome, quiet) place and spent time in prayer. If He did this, how much more should we desperately prioritize fellowship with the Father; early and every day?!
“And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.”
Mark 2:27-28
The sabbath law was given to the Israelites in which they were to rest from all their toils just as God rested on the seventh day upon the completion of His work of creation. Praise God that Jesus came and fulfilled the law in scripture and now He has become our sabbath of rest.
Jesus is where we are to find our rest.
This winter season that we know, it really provides a wealth of opportunities for us to fine tune our priorities and habits to rich fellowship with our Lord Jesus. It’s time that we, as the woman of our home, take time to rest in Jesus. How could we dare go one day without spending time in prayer asking for His help and thanking Him for His blessings and mercies? What message do we send to our husbands and children? Are we pointing them to Christ in all that we say and do?
While we do have many pressing demands, we should not be so prideful to think that we don’t need the Lord’s help and/or that we “don’t have time.” Truthfully, and in love sister; you have time for whatever you make time for.
“And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.”
Mark 6:31
So here we are forced to slow down and take a break from our earthly toils and leisures during the winter. Perhaps the stillness and slowness of winter is just what we need. An invitation to refocus and reprioritize time and fellowship with our Lord.
Furthermore, spending time in the Word of God is vital. How are we to discern between truth and a lie if we don’t read our Bibles to know the truth. How are we to get through this life without the spiritual nourishment of the Word, our daily bread? The Bible IS the very Word of God. It is how we get to know who He is, and His design, and His will for our life.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:1
Sister, it is my hope that I’ve pointed you to Christ here, and exhorted you to rest in Jesus today in whichever season of life you find yourself.
God bless you!
