Dr. Carolyn Johnson

This year’s CTTF theme is “Enter His Rest.” Carolyn, what does it mean to enter God’s rest using a Biblical perspective?

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

Whether a busy mom, a weary career woman, an exhausted student or a tired re-tired widow, the precursor for rest, according to Psalms 37, is committing and trusting in God. Rest comes by fully committing to trust Him. Instead of being driven by worry or fear, by performance or insecurity, by responsibilities or everyday circumstances, “resting” is trusting that God is fully aware of what’s happening in our lives. It believes His word, “Never will I leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). To rest is to confidently believe (trust) that He will “uphold you with His righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

On a personal note, how do you “enter His rest?”

This question hits me at a personal level. The past four weekends I’ve traveled and recently spent nine days in Guatemala where I was on high alert caused by the soaring rate of violent crimes - I am in need of physical rest! Like many women, I have a demanding schedule and my endless to-do list of things and people demanding my immediate attention can keep me so busy with the “external” that it often gets absorbed into my “internal” being.

The great benefit of growing older knows more fully the assurance of God’s faithfulness. I cling to God’s promises and seek Him in prayer, but I also have a deep settled peace because His “track record” serves to remind me that I can commit to and trust in Him because He is faithful!

God’s Word guides my understanding of His adequacy and moves me beyond human understanding to enter His rest.

Have you been traveling? For what purpose?

Amazingly, God opens doors for me to speak in places I would have never dreamed, such as in Canada, Ukraine, Guatemala and Russia.

My purpose is also my passion: To share God’s Word. People don’t need to hear about my experiences or my thoughts as much as God’s Word and its transforming power. People are starving for God’s Word!

How did you become involved in speaking? Did you plan to speak as a young person?

Twenty-five-years ago I grew passionate for God’s Word while attending a Bible study. Then, I might have been voted “least likely to speak to a crowd” because speaking in front of “faces” absolutely horrified me. But when God Called me to share His Word twelve years ago, He knew I’d have to lean heavily on Him! Over the years, I am convinced we both have liked it that way.