Rest. What does that even mean?
I’m referring to spiritual rest, sabbath, abiding in the Lord.
Honestly, it’s something I didn’t understand for most of my life and didn’t do once I did grasp the concept. I even went to a conference on it in 2017 but then didn’t really apply what I’d learned. I thought it impossible and ridiculous to take a whole day each week to sabbath.
What would that even look like?
Meditating for hours, studying the Bible intently, and singing worship songs?
That didn’t sound too appealing, if I’m being honest.
On the World Race, my mind was opened even more to the biblical concept of Sabbath and the necessity that it is for us as believers, especially in our current society with all its distractions, endless to-do lists, jam-packed schedules, the demands of children, and stressful work environments, just to name a few. Man, I’m stressed out already, just from writing this.
A fellow racer fell and broke her ankle on the field and she learned a lot about sabbath during that experience as she had to sit out of ministry and activities. I just remember praying, “Please, Lord. Don’t make me start sabbathing due to a broken bone. I really don’t wanna learn that way.”
Over the past couple of years, I’ve learned a lot more about what true spiritual rest (sabbath) is in the Lord and I’ve practiced it, not always for an entire day, baby steps you know?
People have asked me at G42, how do you rest?
I struggle to answer because I’m not entirely certain. But, I’m learning.
Rest can be almost anything, if you’re doing it to refuel and connect with the Lord.
It could be: sports, exercise, reading the Bible, praying, enjoying nature, hiking, journaling, reading, going to the beach, good conversation with friends, playing games with others, sharing a meal together, watching a movie, painting, dancing, singing, etc.
It just needs to be something that allows you to recharge and that brings you life and increases your intimacy with the Lord. It’s recommended and needed, really, to take a whole day once a week to Sabbath. But, you can start small. And, ask the Lord what he would have for you and brainstorm on things that give you life and rejuvenate you.
Maybe it’s 30 minutes a day that you set aside or a half day once a week. It can be individual or with other people and it can be different every time if you want. The important thing is that you do it. God rested on the seventh day, not because He was particularly exhausted. I mean, He’s God after all. He did it to give us an example to follow. Sabbath is for our good. It’s a gift.
We rest every night when we sleep and we need physical rest to function optimally. In the same way, we need spiritual rest to function to our maximum potential and to enjoy this abundant life we’ve been given. Also, rest allows us to be filled up so that we can go and pour out to others, not needing anything from them, because we’re already filled with the Lord. We love ourselves and others better when we’re spiritually rested. We can’t do this in our own strength and sabbath is key for our spiritual health. I’ve had more free time this summer than I do normally and sometimes I feel guilty like I’m not being productive, but I can see that the Lord is teaching His baby girl how to rest in Him, more than she ever has before. And, it’s good y’all. Rest is good.
So, I encourage you to evaluate your life.
Are you taking time to rest in the Lord?
What does rest look like for you?
What brings you life?
How can you implement spiritual rest into your life on a regular basis?
Are there people you can ask to keep you accountable?
Then, rest up, my friend. It just might save your life.
“And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.”
??Exodus ?33:14?
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”
??Genesis? ?2:2-3? ?
““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.””
??Matthew? ?11:28-30? ?
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
??Isaiah? ?40:29-31?
Thank you for this. My husband was just telling me about resting this pass Sunday and I mentioned I did not do any clean up Thursday, Friday and Saturday when I was off. All is true, however, I did not rest. This is talking to me because I have been extremely busy lately bringing work home and feeling guilty of not giving more time to God and resting as I do. Thank you for this message and I thank God for using you to open my spirit.
Rest has been something I haven’t done well ever! But He has been working on me too in this lovely area and I have realized if I want to be a vessel used by Him …I have to get filled up first ??
I have lots of energy to bring and excitement but He has lately allowed me to get tired very quickly when I try to do it on my own! When I sit still and REST in Him though He rewards me sweetly by being able to do work for His kingdom that blesses not only others but me as well ??????
YES! I so needed to hear these words! Thank you for posting Raina. Rest has not been in my vocabulary recently and needs to be scheduled today! I can think back to Sabbaths that I spent with the Lord before, one in particular where I discovered a beautiful flower in a grocery store that became my favorite—the Lisianthus. Reminded me of how beautiful and unique God has created us to be.
I hear mysel saying, “I will rest when I die” far too often. Finding rest in this fast paced society is so critical not only to our relationship with God, but also to our own mental well being. Great blog.