Worship and Rest: ReVITALize

It is the month of May and is now Spring. Despite the unpredictable weather, this is the season where many of us clear out, clean up, or gain a sense of reprieve from the harsh winter months. There is a burst of energy connected to this season which usually fuels these actions. It is this thought which brings me to this months topic: ReVITALize. Without notating its concrete definition, seeing the word vital within a sentence or body of words may introduce an assumed sense of urgency. Whereas, in other instances, say if used within a title, vital may appear less urgent. For example, The Office of Vital Statistics. Seeing this title does not necessarily cause a reaction because it is known to be an office whose administrative undertaking is that of keeping governmental statistics about births and deaths. Simply, the Office of Vital Statistics is an overall umbrella which houses such information.

It is not my intent to minimize such a great God by saying this, but imagine… imagine the Father of all creation being The Ultimate Office of Vital Statistics. Knowing our end from our beginning, He can be considered the umbrella set in eternity, who knows about every last birth and death. In loving us immeasurably, Christ came that we might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10b). If He cares that much about our very existence, how much more should we care for our own? Granted, due to the demands of life, we often slip into a regimented life and neglect that we have a right to not only exist, but even more so, to live! But, we have to want to go beyond merely existing to living life in full abundance.

The question is what do we consider urgent in our lives? Is self-care vital enough to us that we stop and do what is needed to ensure that what we give everyday, minute, or month is replenished? It is plainly written in 3 John 1:2, “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” God is not only concerned about our spiritual vitality, he is concerned about every facet of our lives. The best way of getting to a place where we are thriving despite the issues of life is to meet Abba in worship, in His inner courts. This is the place where we not only receive answers and instructions, but where we become restored. It is in His presence that we are revitalized. He makes known to us the path of life; in His presence there is fullness of joy; at His right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). This is why it is vital to know Him in the form of relationship and in the form of His written Word. He, who is not restricted by government, borders, or municipality desires to meet us where we are at with an invitation to sup with Him in the Holy of Holies. There are no interruptions or outside influences to taint what He wants to do while in his presence. But, do you feel your time in His presence is vital for your

sustenance? I cannot answer that for you. What I do know is that the One whom is our Daily Bread holds the Lamb’s Book of Life!

Do me a favor. Evaluate how you care for the battery life on your cell phone. How often do you charge it? Do you wait until it is (in the red) dangerously low? Do you intend to charge it at warning, but can never manage to charge it until it goes completely dead? And the “need” for your phone to have life is the drive to have you plug it up. Our vitality in Christ… our vitality in health… our vitality in relationships, all matter. If we plug in, tap in, and learn to remain in His presence, we will have a surmountable supply of tenacity to make it through those days that are not so sunny, perfect, or smooth. But, if we are barely making it in everything we do and never ever consider the state of our lives, we are doing ourselves and everyone connected to us a great disservice. Elohim blew His ruach within every living being. Within His ruach (the powerful wind or breath of God) there is an indeterminate zeal that kicks in when close to depletion or death. He wants you and I to live and not die because we have great exploits to accomplish; and, it becomes much more difficult if not ReVITALized.