Rest for the Weary... All of us

This morning I read a verse in Galatians that I've read several times, but something stuck out at me.

Actually, a couple of words.

In Galatians 5, Paul is talking about us receiving our freedom... but just because we're free, it doesn't mean we can do whatever we want.

Just because we have unlimited data and texting and 24 hour access to all of the internet at our fingertips doesn't mean that we have to utilize it every waking minute of the day.

Just because we have a box on Facebook asking what is on our mind doesn't mean that we have to spew our opinion on every subject known to mankind.

The verses go on to talk about biting and devouring one another...

Which made me think a lot about the atmosphere on social media lately. It seems that every time you turn around someone has something negative to say about somebody else.

It wears me out, mentally.

I'm trying to tell myself to just turn it off... because I don't need that negativity.

You don't need that negativity.

That verse that talks about biting and devouring one another? It also says that we will consume one another...

which basically means that we will ruin each other through the negativity.

If we are consumed with something, we're completely taken in. Obsessed, if you will. Think about it all the time. Wake up with it on our minds, often in cold sweats.

It's just too much. It becomes too much, and before we know it, we aren't free anymore... at least not free like Christ wants for us to be.

What are we supposed to do instead of biting and devouring one another?

Humbly serve one another in love.

Edify one another.

Build one another up.

I think we give up on each other much too soon.

This evening, I was reading in Deuteronomy as Moses recounted all that the Israelites had gone through in the wilderness. They are getting ready to go into the Promise Land, 40 years too late, an unfaithful generation having been punished. Some of the brothers decided that the land on this side of the Jordan would be better for them, and God said it was ok... but they still had to go help their brothers possess the land.

A verse stuck out to me in this reading, and made me think of building up each other. Sometimes that negativity exhausts us...

But we're told that we're to keep supporting one another.

Even though those Israelites had found their personal sweet spot...

"But your wives and your little ones and your livestock (I know that you have much livestock) shall remain in your cities which I have given you, until the LORD gives rest to your fellow countrymen as to you, and they also possess the land which the LORD your God will give them beyond the Jordan. Then you may return every man to his possession which I have given you."- Deuteronomy 3:19-20

Did you catch it?

Until the Lord gives rest to your fellow countrymen... then you may return.

Until the Lord gives rest to our land... we have to keep praying.

Until the Lord gives rest to our spouse... we have to keep lifting them up.

Until the Lord gives rest to that person we may not like... we have to keep showing ourselves friendly.

Even more so as we see the day of the Lord approaching.

Don't give up.

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few...


But let us not grow weary of doing good, because we will reap a good harvest in due time.

And there will be rest for the weary...

especially those holding the others up.

Linking up with http://fdeanhackett.com/2016/03/tell-it-to-me-tuesdays-link-up-party-56.html