How Do You Rest?

Yesterday we looked at ‘renewal.’ Today, let’s think about rest.

While renewal often includes doing things, rest usually includes not doing things. Rest means taking time to slow down and reflect on things you don't need to do in order to protect your body and mental health. Our culture makes it hard to slow down. Everything seems like it moves at the speed of light. But even God took time to rest: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work” (Gen 2:2). 

Resting could look like saying no to things you’d normally say yes to. It could mean getting a full night of sleep (more than once!). God values resting because our bodies need resting. Our bodies are not meant to do and do and do without stopping. Resting is not being lazy. Resting is taking the time to look inside and become aware of the areas of your life that may need to slow down so that there can be space for renewal. Rest and renewal ebb and flow together and they are meant to sway in a rhythm for the wellness and wholeness of our bodies and souls. How much do you sleep at night - does it feel like enough? How about screen time - does it leave you feeling rested? What would it look like for you to move towards more rest this week?