Of course, there are causes for which we feel passionately and to which we devout ourselves for the hope of redemptive outcomes, and those strivings are often driven by a desire to be faithful to our Christian call.  However, when it comes to the ordering of our daily lives, the agendas we set for ourselves, I wonder if exhaustive strivings are a by-product of our need to be in control of the direction of our lives.  As western Americans, we are conditioned from an early age that we are in control of our “destiny” and that we direct the course of our lives with decisions for school, for a major, and for a career.  Most of us have well thought out agendas for the course of our lives, planning to be married by age 25, have 2 kids by 28, and make x amount of money by age 40.  What if something derails us?  What if the plan doesn’t happen?  Sometimes we look to God for answers and at the same time we blame God and decide not to trust God.  We lack trust in God for various reasons, but one could be that God did not live up to OUR expectations of God.  In our highly individualistic culture and highly self-serving, consumeristic atmosphere, our expectation of God is that God be our do-boy/girl.  Give me what I want God, and if you don’t, I will be very angry, blame you, and never trust my spirit into your hands ever again.

For those of us who have hardened hearts towards God (who attend church every week, participate in all the activities, and seem to be quite spiritual people), we must confront this mistrust in God and REST OUR case before the almighty.  To rest our case before God is to relinquish our need for control in our lives; it is to surrender to the will of God for our lives and ultimately TRUST in God that God’s desires and ways are more perfect than ours, that God’s character is greater than we can begin to imagine, and that God is trustworthy for us to fall into God’s rest, resting OUR case into the hands of a good God, relinquishing our need for control because we finally believe in our heart of hearts that we can find God faithful in all things.  With this change of heart, our spiritual walls begin to fall and we can enter into authentic relationship with a God who loves us and desires true relationship with us.  Are you ready to rest your case into the hands of God?   Are your ready for an authentic and intimate relationship with God?  Surrender into God’s rest.

-Rev. Rebekah Falk

Brian Douglas Phillips is a Texas songwriter and record producer. For nearly a decade, he has performed a haunting blend of Americana, modern rock and country in venues across the South. In 2008 Phillips settled in Austin, where he plays regularly and works as an independent producer and engineer. He released his fourth solo album, GUNNISON, in October of 2010.

Learn more about Brian Douglas Phillips.