Many
of us find it difficult to take a break from our work, even sometimes for
lunch, let alone taking the afternoon, or (gasp) a day off. We are so driven to
complete the task at hand that we often neglect to take a well-needed
break. I find I'm often more of a 'Martha' than a 'Mary' (Luke 10:38-42).
We can easily forget that God
Himself created rest and then modeled it for us by resting after He creating
the universe.
A
tired mind is often not a creative or imaginative mind. As writers and creative
types, all that we do is fueled by our imagination. Many studies show we remain
the most productive when we take time to recharge.
When
we rest, and more to the point, when we rest in the Lord, there is something
deeper at work. There is a soul rest that cannot be found anywhere else, but in
the Lord. When we pause we gain clarity, focus, strength and renewed passion
for our work and our lives. There’s a great
spiritual and mental benefit in being intentional about allowing our attention
to shift away from our work for a period of time. We find stress diminishing. For Christ followers,
the point of rest is ultimately to grow closer to the Lord.
Exodus
33 and 34 are among my favorite portions of Scripture. In these passages The
Lord reveals Himself to Moses in a special and powerful way. In Exodus 33:14 we
read “The Lord replied, My Presence will go with you and I will give you rest.”
To me that suggests that there is no greater rest, than in the Presence of the
Lord.
Here
are just a few things that help us in the activity of resting:
·
Take a walk in
the park.
Or the woods. I’ve been reading how nature can have a calming effect on us. As
Christians we marvel at what God has created. This is a form of worship that
brings us closer to the Creator while refreshing our spirit.
·
Meditate on
Scripture. God’s
Word has the ability to calm us, to give us hope, to inspire us, to discover
more of God’s character. A number of years ago I took a long stroll the book of
Psalms. I would read, meditate, and re-read the same passages for a day or two.
Sometimes a whole chapter, other times just a handful of verses. My intention
was to just take my time and linger.
·
Make a cup of
tea. Even
the simple act of brewing a cup of tea can cause us to slow down.
·
Enjoy some
music. Personally I’ve
found Phil Keaggy more restful than Demon Hunter. Worship music (of all genres)
is a big part of my life. A steady diet of God focused music helps to keeps my
attitude positive throughout the day. But often I also find that jazz from 1959
helps me to disconnect from the world and put a smile on my face.
·
Journal. Just don’t let a journaling session lead
to returning to complete that unfinished chapter in your current WIP.
·
Go to a museum. Or the zoo, or
a botanical garden. Sometimes a radical change of scenery is just what we need
to help us slow down.
·
Stetch. The simple act
of stretching has many benefits. You can stretch sitting in your chair, or
standing up. Google it!
·
Take a deep
breath. This
is also a great stress reliever and rushes fresh cool air to your brain to help
wake you up and focus.
I
Kings 19 relates the fascinating story of Elijah standing on a mountain before
the Lord. There was hurricane-force wind, fire and an earthquake, yet according
to Scripture God was not in any of those. He came to Elijah as a still small
voice. Elijah responded to God’s voice by pouring out his heart to the Lord.
And the Lord was faithful to respond and point him in the way that he should
go.
How
many of us need to hear that still small voice today?
So
then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever
has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let
us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same
sort of disobedience. (Hebrews 4:9-11)
So
let’s make time to unplug, step back and relax! If rest is not in your routine,
make it part of your day and week. There are triggers that can be part of our
daily or weekly routine that can remind our body that it’s time for a rest.
How
do you find time to rest, and what does that rest look like? A 15 minute coffee break? A day off? A full
vacation?
Here are a few
Bible verses for more study and reflection:
For thus said
the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be
saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15)
For I will
satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish. (Jeremiah
31:25)
Psalm 62:1 Truly
my soul finds rest in God, my salvation comes from him. (Psalm 62:1)
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