Hey,
Random question… but how do you rest?
I don’t know about you guys, but I actually struggle with resting.
I know it’s so random, but I mean just slowing down, taking a deep breath and stopping. Especially in today’s world, I feel like people are always working and hustling towards ticking off their to-do list or getting ready for the next thing, but resting is so important. And there’s lots of biblical evidence and instructions pointing towards the fact that it’s actually spiritual!
The Bible has so many reminders of how rest is so important, and it’s time we realise it! I always joke that “even God rested on the seventh day, I deserve a break”, and in Genesis 2:2 it's true! God rested not because He was tired, He rested to show us a symbol that we can both work and rest - they go hand in hand - not one without the other!! If rest was good enough for God, surely it’s good enough for us.
But why do we resist rest? I get it: there’s this constant voice in our heads saying “If I stop, I’m falling behind” or “I should be working on my goals”, and I understand this because I feel like that too sometimes, but at the same time if you’re not resting because of ambition, it’s not healthy and it’s unbiblical - it’s thinking you can go non-stop without stopping to rest in our saviour. Rest helps prepare you for your ambitions, don’t forget that!
Here’s my “how to make rest spiritual”
- Give 20 minutes of your day to being in silence, just breathe, and take in the journey that got you to where you are now. Thank God for the silence.
- Write down the things on your mind, the good, the bad, and what you’re learning from it
- Pray in the moment. Sometimes we come to God with a list of things; sometimes we just sit in silence. Do what works for you.
Know that resting is what feeds your faith, slowing down draws you closer to God and allows you to hear His voice and understand where you want to go and where He wants to take you.
Jesus got up and went away early in the morning to seek God and to rest in His presence. Even He took moments away from ministry to seek the face of the Father. In Mathew 11:18-30, Jesus invited those who are weary and heavy-laden to rest in Him, highlighting the necessity of rest.
So when you read this, give yourself a break. I know you probably need it.
With love,
Shola Jones xoxo
