These last two days has been a time for me of pausing, resting, and waiting. I came to Rapha Valley yesterday with a view to see what they are doing here with their organic and vegetarian restaurant and its connection with the God of Healing. I enjoyed some delightful food and some excellent conversation with Dr Albert, the owner and founder.
Sabbath: The origin of the Hebrew sabbat is uncertain, but it seems to have derived from the verb sabat, meaning to stop, to cease, or to keep
I was resolved to ask lots of questions, make notes, and also seek opportunity to serve. Without any offence or objection to Dr Albert, I found myself listening to him talking about the body, science, ingredients, and healing. Again this morning as I ate breakfast, Dr Albert shared with me his insights to business, genetically modified foods, slow cooking, and his lecturing. He is passionate about health and wellness. I am resolved, upon returning to SA, to press further into health and healing for my body and my diabetes.
There is much importance to what we choose to put into our body. As much as the Lord desires to heal, if I continue to abuse His vessel of the Holy Spirit with poor health choices, His healing is short lived.
So, Holy Spirit is telling me to STOP & REST. As Ecclesiastes tells us, there is a time for everything.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
So it seems, my time right now, is to rest. When I look at all of my time here in the Philippines, I can see so much of the Lord renewing my spirit and connecting with His Spirit. I was sharing with Ness this morning that I am trying to shake the thoughts of guilt about resting and enjoying the peace. Ness broke off the religious spirit over me that was trying to convince me that my purpose was to be busy and “achieving”. There is as much celebration in heaven when I turn my heart and affection towards Jesus in rest (Like Mary of Bethany) as there is when I serve and do ministry (Like Martha).
Jesus never said to Martha that her serving was not important, but he said that Mary has chosen what is good.
So I choose to sit at Jesus’ feet and renew a right spirit within me. I am needed for the mission and Jesus needs me at my best. Will you join me?
