Naps…Netflix…Nourishment…Nature. These are just a few of the many options you have when it comes to resting from work or school or busyness. But, just because you have numerous ideas to choose from doesn’t mean you’re experiencing the true benefits of rest. Have you discovered and named what rest could optimally look like for you? Do you know if you could achieve better results from your rest? Furthermore, should Christian rest look any different from the world’s version of rest? Satisfying the answers to those questions is a process worth pursuing with anticipation and patience.

What Defines Rest?

Human beings are perfectly designed by the Maker with good and right limitations in the body, mind, and spirit that require a ceasing from work and a time to be refreshed for the next work (Ex. 20:8-11). The better the rest, the better the recovery, and the better the future work. Or, as the Reverend M. B. Grier from the mid-1800s described it: “Time spent in judicious resting is not time wasted, but time gained.” So, if you’re wondering if an activity you’re using to bring about rest is actually giving you high quality restfulness, you could ask yourself if you feel holistically recovered from your time of rest and are ready for another round of productivity.

Thinking Biblically about Rest

Throughout Scripture, God tells us He established rest after creating the world and He expects His people to rest both physically and spiritually. This means good and fruitful rest is not a guilty pleasure, but a true need. Not only does He define rest, but He provides it. It’s a gift for you to look forward to growing in and receiving from Him.

Putting Your Rest to the Test

To get started, take some time to evaluate whether the means and methods you use to rest are what the Father had in mind when He created rest. Maybe consider writing these questions down and praying through them for a few weeks or months:

• Do I thoughtfully plan out times of rest? Can I name specific restful activities that work well for me?
• Do I even know how to rest? Do I know what it feels like to be well-rested?
• Am I struggling with exhaustion or burnout? Do I always feel a sense of striving?
• Am I resting to work – or working to rest?
• Do I admit to having addictive habits with technology or other pleasures that are merely posing as restful activities while not really nourishing my mind, body, and spirit?
• Is discipline and structure lacking in my life leading me to crash and burn more often than feeling rested and confident?
• Do I have a Biblical understanding of work/rest? Do I struggle to comprehend Your teaching: “find your rest in Me”?
• God, are You calling me to become better at the act of resting?

More to Come about Rest

This article is the first in a series of upcoming articles to help you grow in the rest Immanuel came to give you. All forms of rest on earth now are meant to: reflect the ultimate rest we will experience for all of eternity, keep and renew our souls, and tend to our bodies for His glory. (1 Cor. 6:20; Heb. 4:9-10)

Prayer & Blessing

“He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul…” (Ps. 23:2 & 3)