Written by: Samantha Burgess
What does it look like to find rest for your soul?
Dr. Scott Jones, professor of Christian ministry, asked this question when reading Psalm 116. Particularly verse seven, “Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.” After digging deeper, Jones realized the Psalmist found rest in his soul because he recognized how good the Lord was to him.
“A prominent message in this semester’s Spiritual Life Conference was the idea of Sabbath and the need for the people of God to ‘rest and remember,’” said Jones.
When Jones read Psalm 116, he realized this tied in perfectly with the message behind the Sabbath and led into the theme for Day of Prayer, “Rest in the Goodness of the Lord.”
At this point in the semester, life is hectic and it can be hard to find rest for the soul. Jones said this is a primary reason we fail to see and remember all the good things God has done for us.
“I pray this day will allow us to enjoy a time of Sabbath,” said Jones. “Also, to find rest for our souls by reflecting on the good that God has done and continues to do.”
Bruce Morgan, dean of students, said Sabbath is not a waste of time and is necessary in order for us to be at our best. “To ‘rest in the goodness of the Lord’ gives us time to reflect on His blessings given to us.”
“Reflecting and praying together is important because it allows us to become one with the Lord and each other,” said Lucy Santiago, a freshman majoring in communications and film and media.
While the focus is resting in the Lord’s goodness, Jones hopes students will use the opportunities presented to pray on a variety of topics. Students will pray thanking the Lord for what He’s done in their lives, for the community as a whole and for global issues.
Students have the option in their small groups to discuss deeper topics like suffering in light of recent tragedies and what God says about it. Together we become stronger in Christ and our understanding of His Word.
Samantha Burgess is a sophomore majoring in communication with an emphasis in digital media and is an assistant editor for the Triangle. She can often be found curled up with a good book, writing, listening to music or watching TV.
