Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Holiday (04/05/12)
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TITLE: A Time to Rest | Previous Challenge Entry
By Yvette Stupart
04/11/12 -
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There is so much in the news these days about stress and burnout. Many people are caught in the treadmill of performance to meet the demands of modern life. Maybe you too are struggling to balance the activities of your daily life. You feel it is impossible to take a break. After all, you have so much to do and so many people are depending on you. But you find that your life is becoming more complex and seemingly spiralling out of control.
In the midst of the hassles of life you can get away from it all and get some rest. Jesus calls you to, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Mark 11:28). This is an opportunity to get in touch with your real self. It is a time of reflection and self-examination. As you see your own weaknesses, fears, and inadequacies clearly, let go of the emotional burdens that you carry.
Jesus lovingly encourages you to take time off in a quiet place and rest for a while (Mark 6:31). In this quiet place you receive healing and renewing of your body, mind and spirit. Allow the balm of his love to soothe your troubled thoughts and brush way the fears that haunt you. This is a time of re-creation as you allow God to transform in a fresh way.
This rest goes far beyond taking a physical break from a location. The door to this place of rest is faith in God. It is resting in God and believing his promises for your life. At this time, you focus on God’s goodness, faithfulness and power instead of the difficulties you face. As you trust God unreservedly, you experience his peace in spite of life’s challenges.
As you remain in this place of rest you let go of fear of rejection. You relax in your Father’s open arms and receive all the love and reassurance you need. You allow him to fill you up to overflowing with his love. He attends to your innermost longings and your deepest needs as you draw from the well-spring of his grace. You experience the joy of your Father’s unconditional love. Your life will never be the same again.
Your life regains its balance and you receive grace that equips you for the journey. You will find that God empowers and strengthens you for the tasks ahead. Instead of frustration you will be renewed to move on to accomplish all he called you to do.
There is a time to rest, make sure you take it.
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Some may find it a tad preachy. An easy way to avoid this is make it personal and use the word I instead of you. It will still cause the reader to think but will remove the feel of being lectured.
Also take note at how often you repeated some of the words like rest and life. Try using different words to spice up your writing for example respite instead of break and existence instead of life.
Last bit of red ink would be to write out Ecclesiastes. There may be someone totally unfamiliar with the books of the Bible who is touched by your words and yearns to find out more.
You've done a great job of making the reader think. You also fully incorporated the topic in a relatively fresh way. You have a great bit here.
I know it may seem like I gave you a lot of red ink but you are a strong writer with some wonderful interpretations of this verse. The things I mentioned are little and could turn you into an outstanding writer. Really nice job.
I really loved it. Thank you.
God Bless~