As I think about what one of my friends told me this month, I can see myself in her comments. In 2015, I did a research project as part of my internship. I looked at what it meant to find rest, both spiritual and physical rest (You can read this post for my reflection on the project: Rest.) Since then, anything related to rest (vacation, taking a day off, Sabbath, taking a nap, etc.) arrests my attention. When FOMO (fear of missing out) syndrome strikes, it is impossible to rest; it’s impossible to be content because you’re focused on what everyone else is doing or what they have!
The sermon series on the 10 Commandments at Lycoming Center Presbyterian Church was on the Fourth Commandment the Sunday I attended in February. The command is to remember and keep the Sabbath holy. Pastor Jerry mentioned that worship is remembering that God is King and that He is the one that supplies our needs. Worshipping him involves rest--stopping our own efforts and trusting God to care for us.
As I’ve been raising support, the lie that my effort is making anything happen threatens to take hold. But I have some new ammunition to battle that lie. When I start feeling anxious about where the funds will come from so I can go back to Bulgaria, I’ve started reminding myself that God provides for His children, even when they are sleeping. So taking a nap really can be an act of worship, because I am trusting God to care for my needs! As Pastor Jerry said, “Taking naps...is a way to worship God by trusting in Him and resting.”