Are you resting well?

The Importance of Sabbath and Rest

Hi friends! I’m Pastor Chris McKinney and I write this weekly faith-based newsletter aimed to encourage you in your walk with Christ. Hop on the bus by subscribing below and I’ll email you once (maybe twice) a week with an encouraging note.

This week, we’re gearing up for VBS. It stands for Vacation Bible School, but if I were to put it in simpler terms, it’s a multi-night church service for kids that has multiple activities and experiences that culminate in an invitation for each child to begin their relationship with Jesus.

Each year, we have a theme to spark the imagination.

As you might imagine, there are a thousand details and odds and ends to complete before we can open the doors and let the kids pour in.

Approaching VBS this year has been challenging for me. With everything on my plate, I have days where I feel empowered, but also defeated as my time is filled with conflicting work commitments.

Then yesterday I had a few more things added to my plate and my brain just about exploded.

Know what I mean?

We’re in this season of work. For many reasons, it’s just time to put the nose to the grindstone and work hard so we can enjoy the fruit of that labor in the future. I’m looking at this as a season, not a long term situation.

This is where I’ve been leaning on God to understand where the balance is. I could literally work myself to the bone, but that’s not healthy for me or the people that I serve.

I’m reminded of Philipians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

What sticks out to me is the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding. If the peace of God is the goal, then I don’t think that God want’s me stressed out.

So where’s the balance between overworking and laziness?

Finding the balance lies in understanding the principle of stewardship and rest.

God calls us to work diligently and use our gifts for His glory, as seen in Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."

He also commands us to rest, as shown in Exodus 20:8-10, where we are told to observe the Sabbath and keep it holy. The key is to recognize that both work and rest are part of God’s design for our lives. Overworking can lead to burnout and neglect of our spiritual and physical well-being, while laziness disregards the call to be productive and serve others.

When the dust settles, we need to prioritize rest.

Maybe you’re having one of those weeks where it feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Where every day seems to blend into the next, and the idea of rest seems like a distant dream. I’ve been there, more times than I’d like to admit. It’s during these times that I’ve found myself asking, “Am I resting well?”

Rest is more than just sleeping or taking a break from work. In the Bible, rest is a sacred concept, deeply embedded in the rhythm of life God designed for us. In Genesis 2:2-3, we see the first example of rest: "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done."

God Himself rested, setting a precedent for us. But rest in the biblical sense is not just about physical rejuvenation; it’s about spiritual renewal and trusting in God’s provision.

Steps to Rest Well

1. Recognize the Need for Rest

We often push ourselves to the limit, thinking that rest is a luxury we can’t afford. But Jesus reminds us of our need for rest in Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

2. Set Boundaries

In our busy lives, it's crucial to set boundaries to protect our time of rest. Jesus Himself took time away from the crowds to pray and rest. In Luke 5:16, it says, "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." If Jesus, who was constantly surrounded by people needing Him, took time to rest, how much more do we need it?

3. Practice Sabbath

The Sabbath is a gift from God, a time to cease from our labor and focus on Him. In Exodus 20:8-10, God commands us to keep the Sabbath day holy: "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work."

4. Trust in God’s Provision

One of the reasons we struggle to rest is because we feel like we have to do everything ourselves. But rest is an act of trust, believing that God will provide even when we stop working. In Philippians 4:19, Paul reassures us, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."

5. Find Rest in God’s Presence

True rest is found in God’s presence. Spending time in prayer, worship, and reading the Word brings a rest that nothing else can. Psalm 62:1 says, "Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him."

How to Find Rest

• Create a Rest Routine: Set aside specific times each week for rest and stick to them.

• Unplug: Take breaks from technology and social media to focus on real rest.

• Prioritize Sleep: Ensure you’re getting enough sleep each night.

• Engage in Relaxing Activities: Find activities that help you unwind and feel refreshed, such as reading, walking, or spending time in nature.

• Connect with God: Dedicate time daily for prayer, meditation, and reading the Bible.

Are you resting well?

Take a moment to reflect on your life and ask yourself if you’re truly finding rest. Share your experiences and tips in the comments below, and let’s encourage one another to embrace the gift of rest that God has given us.

Remember, rest is not a sign of weakness, but a declaration of trust in God's strength and provision.

Let's rest well, for our bodies, minds, and spirits depend on it.