What Does It Mean To Rest?
The dictionary definition of rest is in the moment of sleep and or relaxation. According to our modern lifestyle, where do we have the time? Rest is looked upon as a period of non productivity, a waste of time for many workaholics. Some of us do work seven days a week because we are tied down by the nature of our businesses or our circumstances do not allow any day off from our work because of financial difficulties and commitments. Whatever it is.. rest is not an option. So, why are we talking about rest today? In my post, I would like to discuss the importance. What it means and what does the Bible talk about it.
Our Worries Are The Cause
Have you ever experienced insomnia? Are there some nights you just couldn’t fall asleep even when you tried hard to get some sleep? Your mind is still working actively hard on over drive mood? The inability to sleep is probably stemmed from our worries. When we worry, we cannot really rest. Our worries are the true cause of it all. The Bible says in Matthew 6:25-27
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
How true is that? When we worry, we have doubt in the Word of God. Can we trust God to provide for all our needs? Do we believe it when He in His Words said so? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Why Is It Important?
So, it brings us back to this question: “Why is rest so important?” To be able to stay at peace, there is the absence of strife. Both your heart and mind are at ease. The stress level drops and naturally your health improves. Can you see the benefits of regaining your rest already? The better our lives would be. The need to find time to rest is therefore crucial to our health. As a society we need to promote the importance of maintaining a restful lifestyle to balance our busy lives. The Bible says in Genesis 2:2-3
By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.
In these 2 verses, did you notice how God himself took a rest upon completing His work on the seventh day. He blessed and sanctified that day as well? Do you agree that God takes it seriously? If God sees the benefit of it, why can’t we? If it is important in the eyes of God, so we should take it seriously.
Taking momentary rest is important for our health yet, what is more important is seeking rest in the LORD. What does that mean? It simply means finding true rest by soaking in the presence of God. It is in the very presence of God that we find true rest. Only God gives us peace that no other can. The Bible says in John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
We need to seek rest by coming to God in prayer. We often experience God’s presence in our prayer time. Even when we do not feel like praying we can just be silent waiting in the presence of God. Or simply cry out His name and let our Lord Jesus intercedes on our behalves. I hope and pray that you will be refreshed while seeking God’s presence in prayer this week. Let His presence brings renewal and peace to your troubled hearts.
Blessings,
DOTA Team