Rest

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. - Hebrew 4:1

Sometimes it can feel like the ‘careful’ in this verse is scolding us. After Dr. Tracey Shenell’s wonderful message about rest there were lots of different responses. “Usually when we talk about rest I just feel guilty” said one particularly busy person. As she processed more, she shared how the message was so helpful because it was an invitation to consider what healthy rhythms could be found that were intentional and appropriate given her life stage.

What if the ‘careful’ was actually meant to be a gentle invitation? It could well be translated, “Let us gently pay attention to…” how we rest. There’s plenty of reason to go that way, especially given that this chapter of Hebrews also talks about how empathetic Jesus is towards us,. Jesus experienced the same sorts of temptations towards busyness and poor self-care that we face.

How do you feel when you read the scriptures about rest? Do they feel like a gentle invitation to reconsider healthy self-care practices, or does it feel like a religious burden? Or perhaps something else?

Talk with Jesus about these things today.