Resting in the Dream

Have you ever noticed how often the Bible shows God using rest to prepare someone for what’s next? Last Sunday, we talked about Elijah, worn out and ready to give up. God met him with a snack and a nap—not a grand, complicated plan, but the simple rest he needed to keep going.

This week, as we prepare to celebrate Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, I’ve been reflecting on the rhythm of rest. Dr. King carried a dream so profound that it reshaped history. But I wonder: how did he stay hopeful, energized, and focused in the face of such overwhelming challenges? Perhaps it was by finding rest—not just in sleep, but in trusting that God was holding the pieces of the dream, even when the work seemed too heavy.

Ecclesiastes reminds us, “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Rest is one of those sacred seasons—a time to pause and listen for God’s dream for us and the world. Dr. King’s life shows us that rest isn’t just a break from the journey; it’s part of the rhythm that makes the journey possible.

          Have you taken time to rest in God’s dream for you? 

          What if resting isn’t a weakness but the foundation for a life       
           filled with purpose, energy, and hope? 

          Could rest be God’s sacred invitation for you to stop striving and
          start trusting?

This Sunday, as we continue our sermon series on rest, we’ll explore how discovering a holy rhythm can transform our lives. There’s a seat waiting for you in worship as we reflect on what it means to rest in God’s perfect timing—and dream alongside the One who holds it all.
 

With Gratitude,

Rodney Whitfield
Senior Pastor
Aldersgate UMC