Along with living in simplicity, you must make time to rest. I do not mean naps or brief periods of mindless pause. I mean intentionally planning for and setting aside time to number your blessings, to study and meditate on the teachings of Christ, and to give thanks for your salvation. Jesus does want you to work but does not want you to be forever weary and burdened; he wants you to enjoy rest. He gave himself as an example for finding rest not only for your body, but also your soul. Even God rested from his glorious works of creation. God gives the weekly Sabbath to remind you of his never-ending faithful provision. Honor the Sabbath and rest.
Believe me, to truly hear and understand God’s voice, you need to be still and quiet your mind. True rest is a source of refreshment, a time for rejuvenation, and a means to a better relationship with God and other people. Rest affords you the time to recognize current difficulties as momentary afflictions compared to the eternal rest that awaits you in Heaven. Rest is an opportunity to reflect on God’s goodness and deepen your relationship with him. To rest restoratively is to focus your mind on Jesus and the perfect, painless, and joyful future that awaits all who follow him.
Friend, it can be particularly difficult to rest when the circumstances of life lead to conflict with others, fears of all the things that could go wrong, or anxiety about what others may expect of you. God desires rest for you because deep, relaxing rest in the face of these difficulties will not come naturally to you. To rest, you must trust that he will take care of critical things for you. You must trust that if you take a day off, the world will not break down and spin into chaos. To experience deep rest, you must be attentive and intentional about what thoughts fill your mind. You should think about things that are good and true and beautiful, and imagine the glorious future that awaits all those who rest in Christ.
If you lack rest, you will suffer physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Physical and mental exhaustion often lead to emotional turmoil, including anger, bitterness, and impatience. The lack of rest will certainly cause tension in your most important relationships, including your relationship with God. You must establish a rhythm of work and rest to live up to your potential. Work gives you the opportunity to partner with God in his goals for creation, while rest lets you enter communion with God in the enjoyment of his creation. Too much work and all becomes drudgery. Not enough rest, and you will not be as thankful as you should be.
A last word — rest is essential for your spiritual well-being. It allows you to have a clear mind, to renew your heart and spirit, and to boldly face the challenges of your coming days and weeks. May you rest often in the deep well of peace and assurance that God is all that you need. Amen.
