Rest

I love to read. So, of course, in preparation for this trip, I'm reading :) Right now, it's "Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret". I am amazed by this book and the faith of this man that helped so many people know Christ's love and forgiveness!

In one part of the book, an Asian man was walking by an open door where Mr. Taylor was preaching, and was drawn inside. This man was very interested in spiritual things- he had been searching and had done all he knew his whole life in order to please “the gods”. After hearing Mr. Taylor’s words- the powerful, soul-stirring Truth of the Good News-he came to Mr. Taylor and said this:

“I have long sought the truth, but without finding it. I have traveled far and near, but have never searched it out. In Confuciansim, Buddhism, Taoism, I have found no rest. But I do find rest in what I have heard tonight. Henceforth, I am a believer in Jesus.”

Those words brought tears to my eyes when I read them. I, too, after years of searching and yearning for something I didn’t know- going from pleasure to pleasure in a vain attempt to distract myself from this need I didn’t know how to fill- can honestly say-in Jesus, I have found rest.

I remember times when I was too aware of the void in my soul. These were times when unexpected quiet would settle around me…when I would find myself in an unanticipated moment of being without the distraction. Or, when I had just accomplished something I had worked really hard for, and I would feel the moments of elation and excitement, and then only minutes later be thinking, “Ok, now what? Is this all there is?”

I understand now that God, in His love for me, was orchestrating those moments. He was forcing me to feel the pain of looking into the face of my gaping emptiness. He wanted me to really SEE my need for Him so I would be moved to do something about it. Like when I feel hunger, I start to look for something to eat.

At first, I looked for “food” in all the wrong places. I, like the man in this story, searched out other religions. I studied them, read about them, and even tried them…to no avail. I found nothing there- no power, only more emptiness and self-effort.

As I searched, I asked, “God, if you are real, please show me!”

One day, not long after I started saying that prayer, I walked into a church. It was different than any I had ever been in before, and the words I heard there drew me like nothing ever had- just like the Asian man was drawn to the Truth in Hudson Taylor’s message.

I knew I was finally, finally hearing what was True. I can’t explain how I knew- I just did. Something deep inside me that had lain dormant was stirred like never before. I felt a deep hope. I couldn’t get enough. And as I researched the Bible that talked about this God- this God who seemed too good to be true- it only proved His faithfulness, unfailing love, justice, and perfection time and time again. With Him, there is power. The power of love that raised His Son from the dead.

I am so grateful, beyond words, for that terrible emptiness! It led me to Someone more beautiful than I could have ever imagined, and I know I haven’t even scratched the surface of getting to know Him. And in His Good News, I have found rest.

In His Grip,
Kirsten