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The Rhythm of Resting

We rest in light of our gospel identity, learning that Jesus is in control and we don’t have to be.

God’s Word —His story—and our lives are filed with resting. We take “breaks” at work, “breaks” during workouts, “breaks” from studying. Every culture incorporates and depends upon rest as an integral component of their normal lives. Our resting includes our vacationing, getting away, hanging out, having solitude, and sleeping. God’s story begins with Him resting on the seventh day, after being fully satisfied with everything He had created. For Him, resting was to fully enjoy what He had made, rather than being physically tired or worn out. He built this “rest” into our daily lives very concretely with sleep. Apart from the gospel, we often use or abuse rest as a means of recovering from our over-extended, self-centered activities.

Resting in Light of Our Gospel Identities

Resting as a worshipper changes everything. Because of the finished work of Jesus, we can fully “rest” in His work on our behalf.  Resting as a learner changes everything. How did Jesus use “rest” to restore His soul, pray, and stay connected to His heavenly Father? How did Jesus call His disciples into a new “rest” that differed greatly from all of the religious “activity” of the day? How did Jesus connect “resting” with trusting His heavenly Father (remember His “resting” while the waves were crashing in over the boat)? How can we use our rest to meditate on Scripture, read about a hero of the faith, or listen to Jesus’ Spirit? Resting as a missionary changes everything. Resting as a missionary reminds us that the gospel power to save and gospel mission to make disciples are in the hands of King Jesus. We can view our rest as a gift to replenish ourselves in every area of our life to continue to follow Him on mission. Imagine viewing rest as a part OF Jesus’ gospel mission for us, rather than a time out from it. What would it look like to view our own meditation of Scripture, solitude, and prayer as missionary work—taking the time to rest and pray for the Father’s kingdom to come? What would it look like to include others in on our resting as we vacation together? What if we planned on doing it together with those we’ve been called to reach? Resting as a family changes everything. Families rest together, whether through vacation, a relaxing walk, or nightly sleep. Families help ensure that everyone is getting the proper rest, that there is adequate shelter, that vacationing is fun for one another. Imagine blessing others by inviting them into your rest, showing them how to incorporate rest into their own lives, and showing them that in the gospel they can even rest at work because of Jesus’ finished work.