By: Elizabeth Haarberg

Receive

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The message within Christianity is predominantly how to be a good giver. What are you offering the body and the world? How do we help more and more? I find that many people feel the pressure to give of themselves but don’t know how to receive and be refreshed to be able to give. This idea is foreign to so many in the church body.

What does the Bible say about receiving divine rest and refreshment?

“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.”
Mark 1:9-10 English Standard Version

To receive the baptism from John, Jesus had to walk, he had to make a move toward John to receive.

“One of His disciples, whom Jesus loved [whom He esteemed and delighted in], was reclining [next to Him] on Jesus’ bosom.”
John 13:23 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

In this verse, John had to decide to take action and lean in to Jesus.

The common theme in receiving from God is we have to move toward God. It is our responsibility to not stand stagnant in the waiting but to actively rest by moving toward God and receive what is waiting for us. When we give to others it doesn’t just happen, we are active in the action so why would we think receiving would be different?

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 New International Version

Again, Jesus is asking those to “come to me,” to move toward Jesus to get the rest you desire. Divine rest doesn’t just happen, it is an action that requires our cooperation.

If you need rest, stop for a moment and move toward God. Jesus is waiting to pour love out into our soul so we can be refreshed by the Living Water.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado