You have permission to rest.

I once heard about a country in Europe where everything stopped for a period of time every mid-afternoon. Businesses closed, the streets quieted, and people journeyed home. Do you know what they did? They paused their daily tasks to take a nap. These people made rest a priority because they knew taking time to recharge would benefit the productivity of the rest of their day. They would be refocused for the remaining work that was to be done.

Unlike the culture mentioned above, taking time to rest is not a common practice in our lifestyle today. Many are working full time while working on a side-business, running ministries, being parents and volunteering time that really isn’t there. The concept of rest is often viewed in a negative mindset. Somewhere along the way, taking time to rest, both physically and spiritually, became a side-thought. There is simply too much to accomplish, therefore the call to rest gets neglected. However, it is essential for us to rest our bodies physically, but also spiritually. Below are two reasons why rest is vital.

1.   Rest allows us to hear from God:

One of my favorite passages about Jesus is one where He goes off by himself to rest, and spend time alone with His Father. Luke 6:12-13 says “In these days He went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, He called His disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles.” Jesus was God in human form. He was perfect in every way. Therefore, He didn’t have to rest through prayer. Yet, He modeled what rest looked like so we would also rest in the presence of God our Father. What I absolutely love about these verses is how it shows that resting in the presence of the Father was important to Jesus prior to making a decision. He spent time praying and resting in His Father’s presence all night long, and then He came down from the mountain and chose the twelve apostles. Pausing from our to do lists, and from the busyness of life, and sitting with the Father allows us to truly hear from God.

2.       Rest allows us to Lead Well:

I know of several ministry leaders that make a point to get away every so often for an extended time of rest. This sabbatical period allows them to seek the Will of God, and the direction for the upcoming days, weeks, and months of the ministry in which God has entrusted them to lead. During this time, many of these leaders also take the opportunity to rest physically and mentally. Allowing their bodies to rest and their minds to refocus puts them in a position to lead well. Prior to rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem, Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the King, made the choice to spend time in prayer with God. It was during his time of prayer that God revealed to him the plans he had for Nehemiah to go and lead out in the rebuilding of the wall. Whether you are a ministry leader, or you serve in a leadership position outside of ministry, allowing your body and mind to adequately rest in prayer with God will enable you to lead well for the long-run.

Contrary to popular belief, rest is not for the weak. Rest is for the one who longs to hear from God and have their cup refilled so that they can serve Him for seasons to come. God tells us in His Word to “Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 He longs for the laborers and heavy laden to come to Him. In Him we find rest that will last for eternity.

Dear friend, I want to remind you that you have permission to rest. Step away from the labor and abide in His in the goodness of God. Allow Him to refresh your soul in ways He is solely capable of doing. Then, go out and lead with a renewed mind, and a refreshed spirit.

Father, I thank you for the gift of rest you have given to us. Thank you for meeting us in our weariness. Father, thank you for refreshing our soul. I pray that we wouldn’t take the gift of rest for granted, but that we would come to you when we are feeling weighed down and weary. Help us to use what we have learned in our time of rest to serve others as you have called us to do.