Following and Trusting : Encountering God Out of the Box

Here’s what I’m pondering…

The most common feedback I hear is:

“With you, I feel so much peace and rest.”

(In fact, at the last event we had, one woman’s husband said to her – “You are so calm!”)

I also have heard several women say to me: “Merri Ellen, don’t take what you carry for granted.”

I’ve also noticed that the most fruitful times in my life have come after seasons of intentional rest.

It’s made me stop and think…
As I’m currently resting and recovering from sickness.
(A forced rest.)
How ironic, hey?

I continue to see rest and peace as a common hunger and thirst for many women who are do-ers and highly capable, who find themselves on a never-ending cycle of doing and striving… only to feel not good enough or overwhelmed and exhausted.

Rest is also a key strategy for the season we are in – as the world is experiencing a seismic season change.

So, I’ve been thinking about rest….
And what it means to courageously go against the cultural frenzy – in order to receive a supernatural freedom and strength from abiding with the lover of our souls.

Rest is super important in our faith.

It’s something God designed for us right from the start. If you look at the creation story, God created everything in six days and then rested on the seventh (Genesis 2:2-3).

God didn’t need the rest, but He set an example for us, showing how vital it is to take time to recharge both physically and spiritually.

In the New Testament, Jesus gives us an even deeper understanding of rest. In Matthew 11:28-30, He invites anyone who’s feeling overwhelmed and burdened to come to Him for rest.
This rest isn’t just about taking a break from being busy; it’s about finding a deep, renewing peace by being close to Jesus.

When we rest in Jesus, it’s all about being in a relationship with Him and learning from Him. This isn’t about just gaining knowledge but about really connecting with Him on a personal level.

(One of the most delightful things is leading non-church goers or long time church goers to deeply encounter Jesus on a personal level. Amazing!)

John 15 takes this union idea further with the image of the vine and branches. Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NLT).

Staying connected to Jesus, or abiding in Him, is the key to true rest and being productive in our lives. It means relying on Him for strength and guidance instead of trying to do everything on our own.

When we abide in Jesus, we find true rest because we’re not just taking a break; we’re letting Him fill us with His peace and strength.

This kind of rest is especially powerful because it’s about trusting Jesus with everything. It means giving Him our worries and letting His peace protect our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:6-7).

Instead of getting caught up in the hustle and stress, we’re called to trust that God’s got it all under control. By staying close to Jesus, we get a rest that goes beyond just not being busy. It’s a rest that renews our spirits and helps us live out our purpose with joy and effectiveness.

In a culture that often pushes us to be constantly busy and self-reliant, the Bible’s call to rest is a refreshing reminder to trust in God’s strength.

Abiding in Jesus means we find rest that satisfies our soul (mind, will, and emotions) and helps us become the people God created us to be. This kind of rest not only rejuvenates us but also equips us to make a lasting impact in everything we do.

(Crazy thing? …I have often found that doing less and only doing anything from rest leads to a multiplication of impact beyond my expectations.)

How does one rest?

Here are some thoughts…

-Ask Jesus what distractions He’s inviting you to remove in this season / week / or day.

-Ask Him what He’s inviting you to focus primarily on instead.

-Focus on that.

-And follow His voice in it.

-Rest and then walk with Him – hand in hand.

PS.

We will soon be exploring the power of rest – together in the Freedom Coaching Circle.

Why?

Because I see the beautiful women in our community who have been given supernatural gifts and wanting to release the fruit.

And it all starts from rest.

If we don’t know how to rest – no matter the circumstances – we will be pulled into workaholism or escape / addiction – and find ourself becoming a person we never wanted to be.

If you need a tribe to explore this further and cheer each other on, and you’re a woman, learn more here…