(July 31, 2023) Robert McQuillan encourages…

Odd name for the title of an article, isn’t it? Let me explain…

An old friend called recently and happened to ask how I wrote articles, how I got my inspiration and so on. My answer was twofold… like sermon preparations where I’d have an idea of what I wanted to preach/teach, it would come together as I typed.

The second way is similar… and I say this humbly, not spookily – I’d start to type and find that I’m immediately being led by the Spirit and ‘words just come about through my fingers.’ It’s called ‘Being Spirit led.’ And that’s what’s happening here, even as I type this!

Now I’d already researched so many scriptures in respect of something I thought I’d be writing about… but now I find the blessed Holy Spirit taking me in a different direction – even an embarrassing one!

And that okay… I’m His to be directed and used as He wishes… as we all should be! And that’s a threefold principle all Christians should remember every day…

• Be wise and have some plans re ‘natural every day home commitments.’ If retired, know that it’s okay to enjoy each new day – after all, God has given us a life to be enjoyed and fulfilled!
• If working in some secular employment, commit it and your responsibilities to the Lord and seek His leading and blessing there too.
• And if it’s a Christian ministry based (even if you’re retired but still ministry-active as we are), commit it in prayer to the Lord… and let the Holy Spirit, our great friend and powerful helper guide and direct daily.

Okay then, back to me…
For some time my wife Maureen had been telling me that I spend too much time in my study. I, of course, didn’t think so. Coincidentally, my good American friend Dr Richard Winter (even in his Gotcha article, second point) had been telling me, encouraging me, for some months to take a break, to take it easy and have a rest, a good rest.

Again I didn’t think so. I had so much to do. (I, who so often tell, encourage others to take a break, should have known better!).

Then, during an appointment with my podiatrist friend , out-of-the-blue he suggested to me to not answer every email or phone call requesting assistance, to take it easy.

Could God be telling me, warning me, about something up ahead? Hmm! My response of course to the podiatrist was ‘All’s okay, if is someone wants help, then I’ll respond, and that I had articles to write or ‘ghost’ for someone, and deadlines to meet.’

Then it happened! Cute little great granddaughter Avaleigh Grace (Just two years, four months) visited us and at one point led me into the back garden and started playing ‘aeroplane whirling’ – circling. Silly me followed suit, circling with arms outstretched like hers, wondering where she’d come up with this activity.

Then it really happened!
I found myself stumbling and stumbling, unable to stop and sliding towards our large heavy concrete fountain. Crash and crack! The crash being me falling into the solid basin which upturned, water running all over me, and the crack was my head hitting the concrete structure!

Never have I seen such concern in any child’s eyes as I saw in Avaleigh’s! Even though I was dazed and had to be helped to my feet by her mum, Bonnie-Jane and Maureen, I quickly and quietly said, ‘Not your fault, Honey’ to which Maureen said jovially, ‘No… she’s not concerned, just thinking “Silly Poppa”’.

To cut this aspect of my tale short, when I finally saw my doctor a few weeks later to say, ‘Something’s not quite right these past few weeks. I’ve been feeling funny, strange… can’t sit long at my computer nor concentrate to write as I usually do. I don’t feel like eating or even chatting to people.’ When I mentioned the aeroplane whirling incident, he immediately said, ‘Robert… no more aeroplane whirling! Act your age – you have concussion! It could take a couple of weeks to settle, even longer. Rest up!’

Oh, oh! There it was again – rest!

God-enforced?
Something else… and I won’t go into it all, but a few weeks later on King Charles’ birthday, suddenly very strange fierce stabbing pains hit me across my chest and heart. Only Maureen’s quick prayer over me settled me somewhat! Rushed to hospital, I was kept under observation for a couple of days and had briain and chest x-rays. The end  result was that the experts couldn’t find what was the cause and I was dismissed as (to use my own wording) being a very strange case indeed, requiring further checkups and a cardiologist.

On telling Maureen, she instantly remarked, ‘Well, I’ve been saying that for years! You are a strange case, Robert.’ No comment from me!

Result? I’ve been given a forced rest! For some time now I haven’t gone near my computer or talked to many folk, just been relaxing, even sleeping during the day if I feel like it, watching my favourite John Wayne, or detective series such as Father Dowling Mysteries and that so-clever The Mentalist series, or a romantic ‘Christmas in July’ film.

And not even being overly concerned with some ministry aspects, aware that after all I’m supposed to be ‘retired’ (that awful word that seniors don’t like!). And, more importantly, aware that God wasn’t concerned about me taking it easy! It’s been a God-enforced rest you might say.

Now where am I going with all this?

Resting
During this ‘strange’ period of forced rest, I’ve learned of others, and not just  ‘seniors’ but younger ministers around the world who’ve had to take rests! Some because of unexpected illnesses or operations, or overloads of work, sidetracking issues, even spiritual deceptions.

At some point I was suddenly reminded that even Jesus took some rest, some time off! And of the many scriptures that speak of resting!

Now let me rephrase that line about Jesus taking some time out… He was God in the flesh visiting planet Earth and so engrossed in ministry with so many sick people craving after Him for healings or so anxious to heard His enlightening hope–bringing teachings that He found it awkward to take time out!

And here I quote merely a few scriptures in this respect of resting…

• Remember Mark 1:35,when the disciples couldn’t find Jesus… He had gone to find rest with His Father, no doubt remembering that even His dad rested (Genesis 2:2-3 cf Mark 2:27). The not-understanding disciples who found Him just moaned about so many people wanting His attention.
• Luke 5:16NKJV tells that Jesus ‘… often withdrew into the wilderness.’ Message Bible reads: ‘As often as possible Jesus withdrew to out-of-the-way places…’
• And why? you ask. Why ‘…for prayer.’ Obviously to be refreshed by prayer and time with His Father! And He would have been aware of God’s promise to Moses, another leader (Exodus 33:14 – ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest’).
• Mark 6:31 tells of Jesus suggesting to His busy disciples, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’
• ‘Rest’,  by the way, is anapauō, is repose, to take ease, be refreshed.

So the good news is that if even Jesus, the almighty Son of God who worked miracles, over and above preaching and teaching, needed time to chill out – and sought some time out, it’s okay for we weak humans too! God isn’t going to mind, His eye is still on us (Matthew 10:29-31).

Security and trust
We’ve learned that some folk aren’t even sure of themselves, that they don’t understand themselves.

Don’t worry here either… even if you don’t know you, God does! Psalm 4:8 is so consoling – ‘In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.’

Safety (beṭach) means ‘a place of refuge’ and speaks of both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust). In other words, our caring God will ensure we have ‘confidence and are carefree.’ (That’s a further extension of beṭach).

No wonder the CJB reads ‘… you alone make me live securely’ re this resting aspect of our existence and the Message pointedly and confidently states ‘For you, God, have put my life back together.’ 

And then there’s Psalm 23:2 (ever wonder about being ‘made’ to lie down in those green pastures and still waters?), Psalm 37:1aNKJV, Psalm 55:6 and other Old Testament verses.

New Testament verses? Explore Hebrews 4:9-11, Mark 6:32 and the classic Matthew 11:28 – ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’ Message Bible says, ‘I’ll show you how to take a real rest.’

• If you’re busy, busy, busy can I encourage you to take a break now before you are broken?
• Jesus came to give life in abundance (John 10:10b)… ‘fullest measure’(CJB).
• Somewhere I’ve read a classic old saying that goes ‘Come apart… before you come apart!’

Referring to Mark 6:31-32, Pastor Dave DeSelm (info@davedeselmministries.org) has written: ‘One of the challenges of ministry is its non-stop nature.  The pressures and demands go on and on.  It’s as if you’re on a never-ending merry-go-round and seat-belted onto the horse.’ Jesus ‘.. calls His disciples to “come apart.” Why?  Because the Master knew that sustained discipleship is a function of healthy rhythms.’

Got it, dear reader?
Being at rest is being relevant! (Read also Carol Round‘s When you Need Rest-Seek Jesus and Mama Lava‘s Satisfying Sleep).

Resting is how you get more done because you do less! As I proved getting our June article… Trusting God – Todays Major Challenge and this July one posted in time! (All with the Holy Spirit’s help I confess! Retired or not we should still serve our Lord Jesus and be a blessing to others)

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Dr Robert and Maureen McQuillan’s links: OnlinerConnect@gmail.com and Facebook ________________________________________________