Take A Rest

I just finished reading “Take the Day Off” by Robert Morris. When I first saw the book in Hobby Lobby about two months ago I was in the middle of a job transition.

In this transition I was closing one office and opening another while trying to reassure clients that they would be taken care of both now and in the future.

I felt buried in the mountain of work that needed to be done and the timeline filled with precise details that demanded attention. In addition I was constantly having to change things over and over again, like everyone else, due to Covid 19. It was only by the Grace of God that I made it through without loosing my mind. So when I saw the title of the book my whole being jumped at the thought of taking a day off.

On the cover was a picture of a hammock stretched out over the beach into the ocean. It was so inviting and I could easily imagine myself taking a rest right there. That’s what I needed, a vacation. But what I discovered inside was much different.

One of the chapters began very similar to how this post began. A story of a couple that had allowed busyness to keep them for having a Sabbaths rest. So much to do and not enough time to do it all. Always something on the agenda demanding to be done. No time to rest, not even at night because their minds could not turn off the never ending lists and input from the media they watched to fill every moment of their day.

That was me! I could easily relate and then the heart of the message stopped me in my tracks. God gave us the Sabbath as a gift. He knew we would need it and it would be a way that we could choose to follow His example and in doing so, we would find rest and renewal.

In the book the author shared his story of how he ignored the gift of rest and eventually it all caught up to him and he had no choice but to rest. He also referenced how the nation of Israel had ignored the command to rest and eventually they were forced to rest their land for 70 years while in captivity.

This season that we are experiencing now may be similar. It may be a way that God is forcing us to take a rest. Slow down and draw closer to Him. He has removed many things that we have allowed to consume our lives and distract us from our relationship with Him and others.

I, like Israel, have ignored having a Sabbath rest for a long time and God in His mercy has placed me in a situation where all that busyness has been taken away and I have been given time to rest.

In the beginning it was very difficult because it was so out of the normal for me. I’m a routine person and I no longer had one. But I slowly began to realize that the phone not ringing until noon or later is a gift. It means that I have more time with God and in that quietness He is restoring my soul.

I panicked at first because when the phone didn’t ring it meant I didn’t have work and therefore no income. But He said, “Trust Me! I will provide for you,” and He is.

Matthew 11: 28-30 reads, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Today I made a choice to have a Sabbath rest for myself. I decided to not look at any social media for the entire day. I was surprised at how many times throughout the day I reached for my phone to check social media and see what was going on, but then set it back down and said to myself, “not today.”

I replaced that time with a nap, reading a good book and just sitting on the deck taking in my surroundings. It truly has been a restful day. Thank you Lord!

My Prayer

Father, forgive me for the many years that I have ignored Your command for a day of rest. You gave that command for my own good. Thank you for this season of rest that is now upon us. Help us to take this time to reconnect with You and others. To see quietness as a gift and to find healing and restoration in our souls. In Jesus’ name, amen

Where does my help come from?

Matthew 11: 28-30

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.