With Summer fast approaching, many people will be planning vacations and other periods of "rest" in their lives.  While most of us usually take vacations with the intention of getting away for a little relaxation, what we often forget is that true rest begins in the heart.

The fact is, there are people who can take multiple vacations each year and still not find rest.  While they may be reclining in a beach chair or swinging a golf club or hiking up the side of a beautiful mountain, there are plenty of people who stil will be "churning" on the inside with a sense of stress and anxiety that just will not seem to go away.

In the Scripture we are reminded that finding true rest not only invloves taking a break from our regular activities (God endorses this idea as we see His institution of the Sabbath day of rest at the very beginning of Creation), but it also involves discovering "inner peace" and rest as well.  Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) But what does it mean to "come to Jesus" and experience His rest?

The great devotional writer Oswald Chambers believes that much of our anxiety is the result of focusing too much on our own needs and worries rather than allowing ourselves to be aware of the fact that as believers, Jesus Christ now dwells in us.  He says: Whenever anything begins to disintergrate your life with Jesus Christ, turn to Him at once, asking Him to re-establish your rest.  Never allow anythig to remain in your life that is causing the unrest...  Ask the Lord to put awareness of Himself in you, and your self-awareness will disappear.  Then He will be your all in all.  Beware of allowing your self-awareness to continue, because slowly but surely it will awaken self-pity, and self-pity is satanic...  Simply ask the Lord to give you Christ-awareness, and He will steady you until completeness in Him is absolute...  Wherever Jesus comes He establishes rest - the rest of the completion of activity in our lives that is never aware of itself.

My friends, as you seek out some "rest and relaxation" this Summer, make sure you plan your recreation to include not only the restoration of your physical body, but also your "inner self" as well.  Ture rest can only be experienced as we draw closer and more fully into the presence of Christ!