Find Rest: Life and connectedness in Christ

Connected to Jesus – A Quiet Strength, Part 2

“My faith has found a resting place” serves as the opening declaration in one of Eliza Edmunds Hewitt’s most-loved hymns.  What was the resting place Eliza found for her faith? A Person. The ever-living One. Jesus.

“My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device nor creed;
I trust the Ever-living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.”
source

Again, we find inspiration in the life of a woman who found a quiet strength in Jesus. At rest. Connected to Jesus. Rooted.

Eliza Edmunds Hewitt was born in Philadelphia on June 28, 1851. She was educated in the public schools. After graduation from high school, Eliza became a teacher. However, a severe spinal malady early in her career required many years of convalescence. During her time as a shut-in, Eliza, feeling a need to be useful to her church, began writing poems for the primary department. Some of her poems were discovered by Professor John R. Sweney. He set a few of them to music. Sweney and William J. Kirkpatrick published her first hymns. Eliza was a close friend of Fanny Crosby and the two often met to have fellowship and talk about hymns.

It is no surprise that the same woman who penned the words to “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place” is also the author of the hymn “More About Jesus.”

More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of his saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
source

We remember Eliza Hewitt today because of those hymns. Had she never been bed-ridden, she might not have written them.

Find Rest

A contemporary musician, Audrey Assad, shares a similar declaration in her song, “Restless”

 “I’m restless…’til I rest in you.” video

When I contemplate restlessness, I am reminded of the tragic declaration God made over Cain’s life: “You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.” (Genesis 4:12)

“After that, Cain went out from the LORD’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.”  (Genesis 4:16) What a tragedy! Leaving the presence of God. Disconnected.

This is not the life God has intended for us. Instead, God invites us to find life and connectedness in Christ. Accept the invitation.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.Colossians 2:6-7

Jen Vogel

Jen served as national director for Alliance Women from 2015-2023; she serves in a variety of ministry capacities, including on the President's Cabinet for The Alliance. She enjoys reading, travel, and completing the New York Times crossword puzzle daily. Jen and her husband, Doug, attend Dover Avenue Alliance Church in Orange City, Iowa.

Four Responses to “Connected to Jesus – A Quiet Strength, Part 2”

  1. How very fitting that the women at The Village Church in Ft. Myers are having a half day retreat with the title “A Rested Heart in a Restless World” on Oct. 17th. Your article this month and the music only confirmed that He alone is our resting place. Incidentally, Janet Schappell, wife of SPRC president will be our speaker for the 9:30 – 2:00 retreat including a light lunch. I have invited some friends who haven’t yet found rest in the Keeper of our souls. May God do something wonderfully surprising for all of us.

    Thanks for all your inspiration and encouragement, Jen.

    • Thank you, Janet. I agree with your prayer: May God do something wonderfully surprising for all of us. Today. Tomorrow. Forever. He is able.

  2. Thanks Jen for helping us see inside your heart. I am not a woman and probably should not be responding to this. But…I know you and the longing of your heart. Keep longing for more. Don’t let it die and diminish over time and in our culture of distraction. Thank you for your leadership

    • Richard – Permission granted to connect and engage! It is so good to hear from you. I am grateful for the pathway your leadership set me on. Thank you for these words of affirmation, encouragement and exhortation.

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