Redefining Rest Changes Everything
Prioritizing and practicing Christian rest can revolutionize your life
Life is busy. Work, family, social gatherings—all vie for our time and attition. We often have different measures of stress and pain factored into the mix as well. Life’s demands keep coming—often more quickly than we can recover.
In thinking about rest, we may shake our heads and sigh with heavy hearts. It’s challenging to capture periods of rest that genuinely revitalize. Summertime provides a much-needed lull after the first half of the year. Maybe it’s time we took better advantage of it. We can retreat and refresh instead of dashing ahead full tilt with no sign of stopping.
By the end of a year of teaching high school, I’m spent. My soul longs for quiet space to regroup. Learning to take rest seriously is the only way it will happen. If not, I won’t be my best to greet a new group of students in September. Meaningful rest doesn’t fall into our laps. We must pursue it.
Redefining rest
When I talk about rest, I don’t just mean loafing around in pajamas and binge-watching television. Granted, I’m not necessarily opposed to this. There is merit in doing nothing and enjoying downtime. However, the kind of rest I’m addressing is soul rest.
Soul rest is a deep-down quiet meant to restore and revitalize, regardless of life’s circumstances. It goes beyond the physical nourishment of sleep and downtime. Soul rest satisfies the deep longing of our hearts. It’s a space for communing with God and growing closer to Him.
Making time, not excuses
Susanna Wesley, minister’s wife and mother of John and Charles Wesley, had ten children who survived past infancy. She lost nine others as babies. Her life was undoubtedly one of relentless activity and heartbreak.
An incredible woman of God, she found a way to retreat into a secret place with the Lord despite a bustling houseful of children. She made soul rest a priority. But how with so many demands for her time and attention?
According to an article by Faith Gateway, “Mother Wesley’s solution to this was to bring her Bible to her favorite chair and throw her long apron up over her head, forming a sort of tent. This became something akin to the ‘tent of meeting’, the tabernacle in the days of Moses in the Old Testament. Every person in the household, from the smallest toddler to the oldest domestic helpers, knew well to respect this signal.”
Susanna Wesley understood that she needed to be strengthened by a time of peace and prayer. Knowing this, she found a way. I’m certain her commitment to resting in the Lord’s presence had a direct effect on her children, two of whom would go on to be significant figures in Christian history.
If Susanna Wesley could do it, so can we. It’s a matter of pursuing the habit and seizing moments to practice soul rest.
Follow Jesus’ Lead
Jesus’ public ministry was grueling. He traveled on foot, spent a lot of time outside in the elements, and had to rely on the kindness of strangers for meals and shelter. The weight of his mission was heavy. He knew His ministry was to end in His death.
The demands for Jesus’ attention and presence were overwhelming. Sick people craved healing. Lost people craved forgiveness. Others wanted to engage in disputes. It must have been exhausting.
Jesus understood the importance of restorative prayer and silence. It was part of His approach to ministry. To do His Father’s will, He had to rest. Jesus knew the power of the secret place.
His approach was purposeful. He rose early before others. He slipped away after preaching and teaching. He prayed in the evening as the day’s work came to a close. At any chance He could, Jesus made time to rest and commune with His Heavenly Father. The Bible clearly illustrates Jesus’ commitment to soul rest.
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Mark 1: 35, NIV)
“Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.” (Mark 6:45–46, NIV — after feeding the 5,000)
“Yet the news about him spread all the more so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:15–16, NIV — after healing a leper)
“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’” (Matthew 26:36, NIV — in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of His betrayal)
If the Son of God made time to retreat and engage in soul rest, how much more do our weary mortal hearts need it?
Find your “secret place”
Finding a sacred space may be tricky. However, with a bit of thought and creativity, it is possible.
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6, NIV)
I am blessed to have my own space in a tiny back bedroom of my house. I call it the Prayer Lair. However, you don’t need a special room. I used to have a spot at the kitchen table by the window in my old house. You can enjoy soul rest anywhere.
COMMUTING — Traveling to work or running errands doesn’t have to be drudgery. Driving is a great time to meet with the Lord. Pray and seek Him. Listen to worship music. Drive in silence and listen for His voice. The car can become a cathedral if we make space for God.
THE BATHROOM — For truly maxed-out people, the bathroom can serve as a sanctuary. I’m thinking of mothers with small children in particular. Lock the door. Pray in the shower. Steal moments in God’s presence as you brush your teeth.
EARLY MORNINGS — This is my favorite. I make it a point to rise early, about an hour before my family. I love to sip a cup of coffee while starting my day off in prayer and devotions. The quiet of early morning helps me prepare my heart for the day ahead.
EXERCISING — Listen to worship music at the gym. I enjoy praying while walking. Clearing our heads and opening our hearts to God while exercising is good for body and soul.
No matter the physical location, the secret place is a state of mind. Choosing to seek God by slipping away, however briefly, will bring refreshment and renewal. Soul rest is the best kind of rest.
Community Garden:
Join in the conversation by leaving a comment. Let’s get to know one another better as we continue on the writer’s journey.
Do you have a special place you like to rest/relax?
What are some ways you have found to rest and quiet the noise of life?
