'The Shadow of His Wings' Gerhard Tersteegen

For those involved in mission it is sometimes a problem when, and even how, to rest. Many passionate evangelists, missionaries, ministers and lay workers often end up burnt out. There used to be a well known lifestyle motto which encouraged us to live with the attitude: 'I'd rather burn out than rust out' (Neil Young?). Though there is some truth in that, there must be a way to serve God and not end up broken down and burnt out.

Jesus and Paul are certainly examples of hard work as well as of those who went to the limit physically, spiritually and emotionally in their ministry. Yet, it was Jesus who saw a danger here and told his disciples to ' come away and rest awhile' and to put their trust each day in their heavenly Father.  Paul also encouraged believers to 'Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus'.



For our all round well being we must learn to find rest in God or we will be forever 'chasing our tails', anxious, fretful, manic, irritable, restless  and ultimately a nervous wreck. John Stott spoke of having 'Quiet days' particularly if he was very busy. I believe we should also listen to the wisdom of Tersteegen here as he encourages us at the end of the day to bring all our thoughts and anxieties to the Lord, where, as we worship Him in that silent place he will,  to use a computer term, 'defragment' our mind. He has made the promise to us and we must hold firmly on to it.
'You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.' Isa.26.3.


The evening comes, the sun is sunk and gone,
And all things lie in stillness and in rest;
And thou, my soul, for thee one rest alone
Remaineth ever, on the Father's breast.


The wanderer rests at last each weary limb;
Birds to their nests return from heath and hill;
The sheep are gathered from the pastures dim--
In Thee, my God, my restless heart is still.


Lord, gather from the regions dim and far
Desires and thoughts that wandered far from Thee;
To home and rest lead on, O guiding Star,
No other home or nest but God for me.


The daily toil of this worn body done,
The spirit for untiring work is strong;
Still hours of worship and of love begun,
Of blessed vision and eternal song.


In darkness and in silence still and sweet,
With blessed awe my spirit feels Thee near;
Within the Holiest, worships at Thy feet:
Speak Thou, and silence all my soul to hear.


To Thee my heart as incense shall arise;
Consumed upon Thine altar all my will;
Love, praise, and peace, an evening sacrifice,
And in the Lord I rest, and I am still.

Starlings heading home to roost.