An Invitation to Rest
Having just returned from a 2-day retreat with my church, thoughts on the retreat's theme of rest are still swirling in my head. We heard some encouraging and challenging sessions on the topic, and I’m prayerfully approaching how to incorporate more rest into my life for the good of my soul.
In Mark 6:31, we notice that the disciples are so busy with ministry (especially people coming and going) that they barely have time to eat. Jesus doesn’t say to them, “Don’t be wimps! Remember this is the most important work in the world, so keep pushing through. You can rest when you’re dead.” Instead, Jesus extends them a gracious invitation to rest. He says, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.”
I believe Jesus is extending that same invitation to you. When was the last time you rested? What would it look like for you to incorporate pauses of rest throughout your day? What would it look like for you to have a period of extended rest each week? Each month?
Listen to what God is telling you as you consider these things.
As you prayerfully give thought to each of these areas, hear Jesus’ invitation to rest awhile, knowing that the fruits of rest are salvation and strength!
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength” (Isaiah 30:15)
Having just returned from a 2-day retreat with my church, thoughts on the retreat's theme of rest are still swirling in my head. We heard some encouraging and challenging sessions on the topic, and I’m prayerfully approaching how to incorporate more rest into my life for the good of my soul.
In Mark 6:31, we notice that the disciples are so busy with ministry (especially people coming and going) that they barely have time to eat. Jesus doesn’t say to them, “Don’t be wimps! Remember this is the most important work in the world, so keep pushing through. You can rest when you’re dead.” Instead, Jesus extends them a gracious invitation to rest. He says, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.”
I believe Jesus is extending that same invitation to you. When was the last time you rested? What would it look like for you to incorporate pauses of rest throughout your day? What would it look like for you to have a period of extended rest each week? Each month?
Listen to what God is telling you as you consider these things.
- Check-in with your body. Where do you feel tension? Where does your body carry stress? Is your body paying the price for unresolved grief and loss? Consider how you can process these things before the Lord and how you can incorporate even brief restorative movement into your day.
- Check-in with your emotions. Do you feel fragile? Are you short-tempered? What are your anxiety levels? Explore why this might be. How can you release your emotions in a healthy way? What do you need to let go of or deal with?
- Check-in with your mind. Do you have a never ending to-do list looping in your head all day? Are there things you can say no to, step back from, or delegate?
- Check-in with your spirit. Does your spirit feel weighed down with guilt, confusion, or sin? How can you cast your care upon the Lord? What do you need to confess and repent of? Who is a trusted friend you can talk to/pray about your struggle for clarity?
As you prayerfully give thought to each of these areas, hear Jesus’ invitation to rest awhile, knowing that the fruits of rest are salvation and strength!
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength” (Isaiah 30:15)