Soul Rest

I was reading thru my stack of sermon illustrations the other day when I ran across this one… “In Minnesota’s Mall of America, a store has opened that rents cubicles where worn and weary shoppers can take a nap. For 70 cents a minute, customers can curl up in spots themed as Asian Mist, Deep Space, and Tropical Isle. The center is aptly named MinneNAPolis – lol – and is owned by PowerNap Sleep Centers of Boca Raton, Florida. If you visit their website, you’ll read, “Escape the pressures of the real world into the pleasures of an ideal one." "It's not just napping. Some guests will want to listen to music, put their feet up, watch the water trickling in the beautiful stone waterfall, breathe in the positive-ionization-filtered air, enjoy the full-body massager, and just take an enjoyable escape from the fast-paced lifestyle."” I think I’ll call and see if they will offer a franchise to our church! I know a few people in our faith family who could benefit from a place like that!
I grew up in a rural farming community with cow pastures, woods and a cool creek running thru the fields behind our house. As young boys, my brothers and I would often go to that creek, pile up rocks, sticks, and whatever else we could find to build a pool where we could cool off from the summer heat. There was one part of the creek where a 2 or 3 foot waterfall spilled down a rocky, shaded bank into the edge of the woods. I used to love to lie down in the creek and put my head under that waterfall – nothing was more refreshing! Under that cool fresh water, I not only found relief from the hot sun, but the noise of the waterfall drowned out all the distractions around me as well. It was almost like I was lost in a wonderland of bliss, without a care in the world.
In the hurry and scurry world in which we live, it’s easy for the din of troubles, the rush of deadlines, and the stress of the workplace to cause us to be overwhelmed at times. We all need to find a waterfall like I had back then to take us away from the noise and to provide refreshment for our souls. Maybe for you, that place is a walk in the woods or a dip in your favorite swimming hole. It could be as simple as climbing up to the top of a mountain, far above the sound of the freeway, where your cell phone won’t work and no one can interrupt you. Regardless of where that place may be, it’s important to have one. When you go there, ask the sweet Holy Spirit to flood over your soul like fresh water, drowning out the noise of you life and the hurry, scurry world around you. Tune your heart to the still, small voice of the Lord, and allow Him to speak peace to your soul. If you will, you’ll experience what I call “soul rest”. The kind of rest Jesus spoke of when He said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matt. 11:28-29 (NKJV)

Posted in: Rest For Your Soul; Refreshment; renewal; revival