Rest is a gift, not a reward. It’s not a hobby that lazy people take advantage of; it’s woven into the fabric of our very biology. The body is designed to rest. I don’t have to earn that with my performance. Rest is not a by-product of my success, it’s a by-product of my humanity. I don’t have to get ahead to enjoy it or need it.
John Acuff, Start
Never have I considered the word rest as I have since the start of 2015 (you can read my previous posts here and here). When my doctor scheduled me for a hysterectomy in early January, I reasoned that my post surgical recovery would actually force me to be still, allowing me some much needed time to read, write, study, and rest. Much to my dismay, my plans proved to be more frustrating for me than anything, that is, until I truly began to understand the meaning of rest.
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.
Genesis 2:2
“Work six days, but the seventh day will be a holy rest day, God ‘s holy rest day. Anyone who works on this day must be put to death. Don’t light any fires in your homes on the Sabbath day.”
Exodus 35:2-3 (MSG)
This is just one of the clear distinctions that God made concerning the Sabbath. His mandate granted rest to everyone, including the women who were expected to cook. Food had to be prepared and cooked before the Sabbath began, and the dishes had to wait to be washed until after the Sabbath had passed. Can you imagine doing that today? (I chuckled at the idea.)
For the gal who makes a career out of being a homemaker, the idea of resting can be a hard sell. Today’s culture pressures us to accomplish something 24/7; anything less is viewed as being lazy. We’re driven to slave over the stove, tackle the laundry, scrub the floors, care for the kids, and serve in the church, as if somehow these actions define who we are or determine our self worth.
It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late,
and work your worried fingers to the bone.
Don’t you know he enjoys
giving rest to those he loves?Psalm 127:2 (MSG)
Whether we’re running errands or diapering bottoms all day, most of us would seldom ever associate our title as homemaker with the same benefits that an outside job would offer, like a day off or an annual vacation. That concept is as foreign as it is funny.
“The way I grew up and the way I’ve lived, you’d think rest was a four letter word.”
Ann Voscamp, A Holy Experience
Rest? Whose got time for that?
God does.
When God finished creating, He stopped doing long enough to reflect on what He had done.
Yes, even God made time to rest.
So why is it so difficult for us to take a break? God designed us in such a way to need rest. In fact, He commanded it.
He didn’t just suggest we rest, He blessed it and gave it to us as a gift. He mandated work, and blessed us with rest, that we might appreciate the value of what our work produces, whether it’s a clean house or a happy baby. It’s often these moments of ceasing that allow us to exhale long enough to fully reflect on His goodness and inhale a breath of much needed oxygen for our souls. We need to rest, because it gives us 1) the gift of time spent well with our children – and each other – without needing to get something accomplished other than being together 2) time that’s free from multitasking and striving for perfection and productivity, and 3) time to rest in His goodness, reflect on His blessings, and refresh our hearts and minds with His Spirit.
And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”
Mark 2:27 (ESV)
And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
Mark 3:31 (ESV)
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV)
