DEVOTIONAL: The REST of your Life

“And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.” (Gen. 2:2-3)

Is there something about rest that we are missing? The fact that God rested should give us pause to think through a "theology of rest". I don't believe we are talking about just a nap, we are talking about a RESTful season that is needed so desperately that God was willing to model it.  God did not need a nap. He did not need to rest his muscles so they could regenerate. He was not exhausted from working on the universe. 

How do I know this? 

"My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you!" (Ps. 121:2-5)

God does not need rest in the way we need it. It appears God knows something about rest that He wants to impart to us: "The Joy of Rest." On the day after his creative work was complete, God took time to see His handwork and enjoy it. Yes, it was all good and worthy of a day of rest. 

Contrast this with how we live our lives today. We wear busy like a badge of honor. We drag our children from pillar to post, enrolling them, testing them, working them out, introducing them to everything but REST. Rest is a byword of our culture. It lives too close to lazy. Life is short there is no time to waste. This would be good advice if rest were wasteful time, but it is not. 

Rest is an opportunity to enjoy what life is all about. Rest is the peace that accompanies the understanding that life is best seen through the lens of eternity. When we live with eternity in focus we live differently. We work smarter, rather than harder. We play to enjoy rather than conquer. Our spiritual formation is a primary focus along with the mission given us by our God: proclaim the gospel and make disciples. 

JOURNAL

Draw a picture of what REST looks like for you. Challenge your family to make Sunday a Day of family rest. A day to be thankful, to worship, to play together: silence and put away cell phones. Turn off the TV. Read a passage or chapter from the Bible together, enjoy a meal that everyone helps prepare. Take time to listen to each others hopes and dreams. 

Join us this Summer at the Grace Place Church for our Leisure Days series. www.gp.church