Rest

Restless In The Home: Finding Our Rest In Christ Alone

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Hi guys, I know it’s been a while. Just letting you all know I’ve recently published a short Bible study. It is designed for personal, family, or church use. Here is a little bit about it, followed by a link to the kindle version. When the link to the paperback is ready I will post that as well.

“In the daily struggle to honor God and to love those closest to us, many have grown weary. We are restless. From where will our rest come? Join Chris Canuel in this short bible study exploring the causes of restlessness in our family lives. After discussing the causes of this restlessness that so many of us feel, Chris will then point us to Christ and the glorious rest that only He can offer.

This short booklet can be used by individuals for personal study, or is ideal for Sunday School classes or small group studies.“

Purchase now for just $1.99!

Seeking the silence…

This past week my wife took a day trip with the kids. I was able to enjoy a silent Sunday. It was wonderful. Now, don’t get me wrong…I love my wife, I love my kids. I love spending time with them…but I long for days of silence. Before marriage and kids I had many of them. These days, not so much. I wouldn’t go back if I could. But still deep within my soul, I long for days of quiet…days of rest…I know I’m not alone.

Isn’t this a part of God’s design? Is God not the one who instituted the Sabbath? Is God not the one who in fact served as our very first example of how to keep the Sabbath?(Genesis 2:2-3)

This longing, or better yet, this need for rest…was God’s idea.

The Sabbath is meant to be a beautiful gift of rest to God’s people. A time to get away from the slavery of activity that we are all so subject to…Not only that, but the Sabbath is meant to be a reminder of the rest that we all have in Christ.

Now I’m not talking about a legalistic approach. I’m not talking about counting steps to and from places to define what is work. I’m not talking about not being able to cook, flip on a light switch, or leave your home. That is silliness, and completely contrary to the idea of Sabbath. These things are just work redefined.

I’m talking about time away from our regular routines…Time to take a time out…Time to rest…Time to think about, meditate, and enjoy the things of God. Sabbath can even be a time to spend enjoying your family…

But sometimes…we need the solitude. Sometimes we just need a break. Again, I think it is a part of the natural order of things. We were made to long for this.

So, why do we feel so guilty for it? Why do I feel so guilty for it? Why am I made by others to feel guilty for it? Why do people question me when I talk about these things?

Because the natural order of things is all messed up. Sin…

Things have been turned upside down. Activity is valued over inactivity. Doing is valued over non-doing. Noise is valued over quiet. Work is valued over rest.The workaholic is applauded…the one who ‘stops to smell the flowers’ is laughed at, or chided as being a dreamer, or even worse called slothful. Being amongst crowds is celebrated. Solitude is ‘weird’…’uncomfortable’…

Now, work is good…and is certainly a part of the natural order of things. BUT, there is also a time to take a break. There is also a time to relax. Part of the beauty of the Sabbath is that we stop worrying about our needs and our own self dependence, and give those over to God and allow Him to provide. It is an exhibition of faith.

Silence is a gift from God…a chance to listen to God… I long for that.

Solitude is a gift from God…a chance to be with God…I long for that.

And that’s okay.