I will start with an illustration using mathematics. Several people are afraid of math because they think it is difficult, but all math ends with arithmetic, meaning addition, subtraction, division and multiplication. So, whether it is calculus, geometry or algebra, the math would rest in arithmetic. This also happens in stories, if I tell you that once upon a time in a great land there lived a beautiful princess……, If I end the story there you will not be pleased, you want to know more, you want to know what happened to the princess. God made us desire completion or rest. See what the bible says in Genesis 2:2-3,“ And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.” So, you will see in the bible seven is the number of completion or rest. God rested on the seventh day after creation, Elisha told Naman to wash seven times in the Jordan to be healed of leprosy, Joshua conquered Jericho by marching round it seven times on the seventh day, and so on.
Whenever your heart is troubled, you know there is something more to life, you have a yearning, your spirit is looking forward to something. Your spirit wants rest. See what Jesus said in Mathew 11:28,“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” People are looking for rest, they want physical rest, financial rest, emotional rest, spiritual rest. We all desire rest. It is only in Christ that we find true rest. That explains why people still suffer from the emptiness of depression even after they make money, indulge themselves in alcohol or have relationships. These things can bring temporal relief, but true rest is only in finding our purpose in God our creator. No other thing can give you the rest that you desire.
Share your God given gifts, talents or abilities, in doing this you will find rest. There is something inside you and until you release it to the world you will not find relief. Imagine a woman who is pregnant and after 9 months she is unable to deliver, she will be restless, until she delivers what she carries she will not be relieved. You may say you do not know what it means to be pregnant, so imagine you are unable to use the washroom, you will be restless, your bladder will be full, you will only find relief when you release what you carry. So, this is also a spiritual principle, until you use what God has given you to make other people’s life better you will not find relief. If it is music, use your voice to glorify God and edify others. If it is engineering, design and build things for God. If Law, defend only what is just. If service, serve others. Release what you have in you. It is by doing this you find rest for your soul and reward for your spirit. Colossian 3:23-24 says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” So do not be bothered whether men appreciate you or not. You serve God not man. He will reward you and give you rest in Jesus name. Have a great day.
