This past Sunday at church the sermon was all about the importance of finding rest. In theory, it sounds so easy. Take time for yourself. Recharge your batteries. Feed your soul. I see ideas for how to do this on Pinterest and shirts with quotes for sale on Facebook all of the time selling this same idea. But in practice, resting is a really hard thing for me to do.
I don’t rest. I don’t even remember how to do it or what it should feel like. It feels weird to “be still” when there are always so many unfinished items on my “to do” list. I can’t remember a time when I felt truly rested. We go on date nights occasionally, but we talk the whole time about what we need to accomplish the next day. When I hit my burn out point, I reach for a bag of Cheetos or binge watch a series on Netflix. I spend time numbly scrolling through my Facebook feed at night when I’m too tired to talk. Basically, I check out.
The thing is, these things might bring temporary relief, but they don’t actually bring restoration. They are a band aid. We push ourselves to the point of physical and spiritual exhaustion and then we wonder why the things that used to work don’t revive us anymore.
We need to seek the things that will restore us long term. If we don’t fill up our gas tank, then we will NEVER be able to get the things on our list done. The baseball games, church and family commitments, dance recitals, and countless other things will always be there…but we won’t have the time and energy to be mentally present with our family while we do them.
The Bible talks a lot about rest.
Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Jeremiah 31:25 says “For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” Or there’s Psalm 46:10…“Be still, and know that I am God.”
I don’t know how to be still anymore…and trusting God in that stillness is even harder. But when we make time to do it, we do find peace. He promises that. For me, I find this in a long drive through the mountains or snuggling with my girls. I find it in a dinner out with my wife when we actually talk about something other than Millie’s health or Gracie’s schedule or money worries. I find it when I take the time to get in God’s word…and then actually trust what it says. What brings you true restoration?
Relief is not a bad thing, but restoration is just so much better.
I don’t rest. I don’t even remember how to do it or what it should feel like. It feels weird to “be still” when there are always so many unfinished items on my “to do” list. I can’t remember a time when I felt truly rested. We go on date nights occasionally, but we talk the whole time about what we need to accomplish the next day. When I hit my burn out point, I reach for a bag of Cheetos or binge watch a series on Netflix. I spend time numbly scrolling through my Facebook feed at night when I’m too tired to talk. Basically, I check out.
The thing is, these things might bring temporary relief, but they don’t actually bring restoration. They are a band aid. We push ourselves to the point of physical and spiritual exhaustion and then we wonder why the things that used to work don’t revive us anymore.
We need to seek the things that will restore us long term. If we don’t fill up our gas tank, then we will NEVER be able to get the things on our list done. The baseball games, church and family commitments, dance recitals, and countless other things will always be there…but we won’t have the time and energy to be mentally present with our family while we do them.
The Bible talks a lot about rest.
Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Jeremiah 31:25 says “For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” Or there’s Psalm 46:10…“Be still, and know that I am God.”
I don’t know how to be still anymore…and trusting God in that stillness is even harder. But when we make time to do it, we do find peace. He promises that. For me, I find this in a long drive through the mountains or snuggling with my girls. I find it in a dinner out with my wife when we actually talk about something other than Millie’s health or Gracie’s schedule or money worries. I find it when I take the time to get in God’s word…and then actually trust what it says. What brings you true restoration?
Relief is not a bad thing, but restoration is just so much better.
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