Rest in Rejoicing

I’m ashamed to say my first reaction to the news that we’d be spending Christmas at the beach was one of annoyance. After all, I’d just spent the past few months in a whirlwind of work and academics. The last thing I wanted to do was pack my entire family up into a car and drive hours just to be stuck in a beach house with them during my favorite time of the year — a time when traditions and cozy slippers and routine were pivotal to my happiness.

Looking back I cannot believe my selfishness. Never mind we were taking this trip as a present to my grandmother. Never mind my mom was sacrificing her holdiays as well. All I could see was my rest being stripped away.

So here we are in South Carolina. And boy was i humbled this morning. As I took that first step onto a sandy beach and heard the ocean roar I was taken aback by how restful creation actually is. And how my circumstances do not have to determine the rest in my heart.

“A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices.”

The ocean is one of my favorite sounds and I had forgotten that. It was as though Jesus had touched my soul and said, “Here, I will give you rest in the midst of the chaos packed into your beach house. Here, I will show you how powerful I am. Here, take my peace despite your circumstances.”

The weary world rejoices — not rests. Rejoicing comes before rest, for you cannot have true rest without an inner peace that comes from worshipping our God.

So merry Christmas everyone. For Christ has come that we may have life and life to the full. The child wrapped in swaddling cloths has wrapped us in his peace and he makes the crooked paths straight. Whatever your holidays looks like this year, be comforted in knowing eternity is secure, and rest — true rest — is abundant.

[I do not own the rights to any pictures]