Rest: An FCA Devotional For CompetitorsSample

From Chaos to Calm

Ready: “On the seventh day God had finished His work of creation, so He rested from all His work.” - Genesis 2:2

Set: God doesn’t rush things—not our transformational process, not His global plan, not answering prayers. Not even creation. 

Since calm was God’s idea, why are we so swept up in chaos?

Travel teams filling up every weekend. Year-round training and recruiting. Schoolwork, pressure from parents, stiff competition at younger and younger levels. Coaching demands that burn into all hours of the night. Meetings, temptations of the world, replacing what’s best with what’s right now.

The world says rush; God says rest. And Jesus promises that if we get away with Him, we’ll recover our life. 

We can slip away to a quiet place to hear His voice, be still, and sink into His sovereignty, trading our burdens for His lightness. We’re most effective when we hand over the rush of the world, and loosen the hold on our hearts for control and just have faith. 

When we trust that God has our best interest in mind, that He really is sovereign, we can rest in His promises. We can rest in the security and counsel of He who has numbered our days and counted our breaths.

Come to Me, Jesus implores, all who are weary. Allow your hearts to rest. – Sarah Rennicke

Go:
1. What is the biggest distraction that keeps you from hearing God?
2. How can you quiet yourself and your schedule to receive His rest?
3. How will you trust in God on your team or campus?

Overtime: Abba, Father, you are the calm that stills the storm in me. It is so easy to get tossed about in the busyness of athletics and life. Be my shelter where I can take comfort. Amen.
This text appeared in FCA Magazine’s feature article titled, “All Who Are Weary.” To read the article in its entirety, click http://www.fca.org/magazine-story/2016/12/29/all-who-are-weary