Rest Is A Gift (& Living in the Word Link-Up)

Most mom’s I know don’t get enough rest. (I know this doesn’t shock any of us). So many things (and little people) pull at us, all jockeying for our attention. We spin and serve and wash and bend before all of these needs and before we know it, the sun is long gone, but the work remains.

I’m not good at resting. I often equate “being still” with being lazy and so I light a fire under myself to keep going, even when I’ve hit my limit. If I’m honest, this is also me trying to please God, or maybe even impress Him with my busyness.

Let’s be real though, God is not impressed by my work–

We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. (Isaiah 64:6)

Also? Sitting with God, rather than doing for God, is always the better choice–

But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:40-41)

Knowing these things doesn’t always make it easier for me to rest. The work piles up and I can justify every attempt at getting things done in the name of productivity–but at a cost.

It’s Saturday. The Sabbath nears, I ask myself these things: Will I allow myself to rest? Will I lay aside the laundry and the vacuuming long enough to sit with God?  Sometimes, I simply fail to yield. The work presses in, so I vow to get ahead.

Ahead of what though?

What is it that circumvents God’s command to rest?

Rest is a gift. This hits me today as I read Mark 2:27. We weren’t made for rest, rest was made for us. We were made for work. We were never intended to lounge our lives away. We were created to serve God, to do good works which He has prepared for us–

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

But rest–rest was created for us.

So lets leave the laundry in the basket a bit longer. Let the dishes rest. Wash the dog another day.

Let’s find our place at His feet.

Let Him minister to you.

This is His gift to you.

My mentor and friend, Shelly Miller has a passion for encouraging others to rest on the Sabbath. If you’re looking for some encouragement, consider joining her Sabbath Society. 

Kris Camealy

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