To Enter the Rest of the Lord

Yesterday I wrote about Ezekiel's awesome encounter coming before the Lord.  Today, as I continued in Ezekiel I read about what he was called to .... the life of a prophet.  It is not one that outwardly bears the appearance of rest, though I did read in chapter 4 he was called to lay down or actually would be tied down for more than a year.  He was given a heavy burden to call out the sins of those around and warm them to listen, hear and turn from their wickedness and return to the Lord.  If he didn't, he would be held accountable for the sins of the wicked.

God pricked my heart pretty sharply.  How often I think of entering God's rest as only being at peace knowing He is providing for my needs -those needs being things I need for what I want, what is "needed" to sustain "me and my wants".  While this is part of God's rest - providing for my needs, including pouring out abundant blessings and exceeding my expectations and a promise that He will fulfill the desires of my heart, His rest is so much more.  

My heart is pricked when I realize the desires of my heart are often not focussed on Him first and fullly.  In those times I still want that peace and rest, but see clearly how it doesn't line up with how He has promised to fulfill it.  My heart is pricked when I reflect on how often I hear and am slow to act or worse do not act in obedience, not trusting in Him or more concerned with my agenda.  My heart is broken and then I realize that in that moment I am being offered to come into His rest, I am offered Grace.  He has pricked my heart to revive it, to refill and renew it, to give me the rest He has called me to and secured for me.  

It is still my decision to accept it and to walk in it.  I still may be called to outwardly difficult tasks, called to lay down - maybe not literally, but for sure to lay myself aside and I will still find many things to distract me along the way, but if I look to Him I will be able to walk in His rest, with confidence and peace.