The Gap Year – A year of rest

On the bus home a few months ago, I meditated on God’s instruction to the Israelites through Moses in Exodus 23. What was this instruction? Sow your land for 6 years, and in the 7th year, leave the land to rest. Although seemingly easy, the Israelites may have had many questions. As I thought on the Israelites’ experience, I remembered my gap year experience.

Upon completing high school, my Parents offered my sisters and I a gap year at various times – to grow up and learn based on our interests.

Just learn, grow up and we’ll provide the things you need for this year, my parents said. Although it was a show of their love to me, at certain times I desired being in University as my previous classmates were now in University. How I long for those times of rest now, lol.

In the moments of dissatisfaction, my Parents would remind me to eat and enjoy it. They expected nothing of me, all they needed me to do was to rest in their provision.

In God’s instruction to the Israelites, all God requested was for them to stop working and rest in His provision and also give their land time to be replenished.

Are you resting in God’s provision? Or are you trying to work and toil for what God has freely given you?

This is your call to rest. As I look back on my gap year, I’m grateful for those moments. It was during the said gap year that I became born again; I actually understood why Jesus came to the world.

Let today begin your journey of rest in God and enjoy His provision

Here’s the instruction in Exodus 23:10-12 ERV
[10] “Plant seeds, harvest your crops, and work the ground for six years. [11] But the seventh year must be a special time of rest for the land. Don’t plant anything in your fields. If any crops grow there, allow the poor to have it. And allow the wild animals to eat the food that is left. You should do the same with your vineyards and with your fields of olive trees.