Rest. It’s a biblical concept that suffers under a great obedience gap. We see many exhortations to rest peppered throughout Scripture. But a quick glance at the hurried lives of believers and church leaders shows scant obedience to such a prevalent command.
So, let’s pause.
You might find it helpful to think about rest in three types of rest spoken of in Scripture.
- Sabbath Rest (Exodus 20:11)
- Physical Rest (Mark 6:31)
- Soul Rest (Matthew 11:29)
Granted, there is overlap in these three rests, but there are distinct features to each type of rest.
Sabbath Rest
Sabbath rest was the first thing that God set apart as holy. It’s an intentional pause in the rhythm of our week, a designated time when we can cease striving, both physically and emotionally. Held in contrast to the performance-driven nature of our culture, Sabbath rest communicates to the world around us that we trust the divine rhythms established by God.
Physical Rest
When Jesus invited His disciples to a desolate place to rest, he was inviting them to physical rest and restoration. At times the most spiritually uplifting thing we can do is take a nap. When our physical bodies are worn out, our patience wears thin and our ability to discern is clouded. The deception of temptation is harder to combat.
Soul Rest
In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus assured us that His spiritual yoke was light and easy. This was in contrast to the heavy and burdensome spiritual yoke created by the religious leadership of that day. In his invitation to accept His yoke, He assured us that our souls would be able to step off the gerbil wheel of spiritual performance and find rest.
So, may 2019 bring rest to your rhythms, to your bodies, and to your souls. Simply put, trust the rest.
Happy New Year!
Barry Shafer
Founder/Director, InWord Resources