Rest - A Poem (Aviela Groder)

Rest

I’ve been running 

Running on this road for so long 

I’ve been trying 

Trying to be someone I’m not

And my feet pounding on the pavement

Has blocked out your voice

And I can’t hear what you’re saying 

But my heart is screaming to stop

And as I stop and scream at the sky

“Where are you?”

I feel your breath fall over me

I sense that Peace rising

And the rush in my chest makes me close my eyes

Cause I know that you’ve been there this whole time

I breathe deep and listen for your voice 

And you say “Rest” 

Suddenly my world is crashing at my feet

Suddenly I’m out of breath and my vision turns blurry 

This race I’ve been running 

Where was I running to?

I don’t want to run anywhere 

Unless it’s straight to You

I collapse on the pavement 

For a moment I feel weak

I know I can’t do this without You

And my heart keeps crying 

For a hand

For a chance

For any kind of sign

Then I see your eyes looking into mine

And you say 

“Rest” 

“You don’t have run this race alone

I know the world’s cruel but you know

That I have always been here by your side

So stop running and see how much further you’ll go

I will be the one to sustain you

Be the one to remake you

I’m the one that created you

And I know how hard the days are

And how long the nights are

And how easy it is to want to run away from it all

My Child this race has only just begun 

But when you’re weak

I am strong

When you’re low

I am high

And I’ll keep reaching for you though you’ll never understand why 

I made a choice on calvary 

To die for you 

I wish you’d see

I made the choice

To run the race with you 

So you don’t have to be more

Have to try more

Have to do more

You’re already more than a conqueror 

You’re good enough

You’re strong enough 

And exactly how I designed you.” 

So I stand up on my feet

I look at the road ahead of me

And suddenly it doesn’t feel so long 

And I don’t feel the need to run 

I look into His face

I grasp His hand and say

“I’ll rest.” 

For this time in my life 

I’m beginning to understand 

That now I need to trust You

And hold onto your hand

I’ll keep going one step at a time

Cause You’re right here with me

And I know that I can rest in Your peace