Rest is often considered a luxury we’ll get around to when we have the time. But there’s no end to the demands of life and it takes discipline to intentionally choose rest when there’s still much to do.
Kids are typically given a bedtime. Parents know the importance of sleep, but also that children don’t yet have the maturity to consistently put themselves to bed on time. And the importance of sleep doesn’t change as we grow. But hopefully now as adults we have the inner discipline to put ourselves to bed in a timely manner. A similar discipline is needed with rest in general.
The demands of life are great and many. And most days we feel behind and that we’re doing all we can just to stay afloat. We understand the importance of rest, but taking time off seems like a luxury we simply cannot afford right now. Certainly some seasons of life are particularly intense and require many long hours beyond our usual demands. But even still we must regularly find time for our souls to rest.
Just as harm is done to the body without adequate sleep, the soul suffers without adequate rest. But more than merely knowing the importance of rest, we must discipline ourselves to actually do it.
Discipline calls for us to go against the grain of our natural tendencies in order to achieve a greater good. When everything in us drives us to work, work, and keep working the discipline of rest compels us to pause, be still, and to rest. We intentionally choose rest even when we don’t feel like it. And in doing so we care for our souls and restore the inner vitality we need to receive all that God has for us.
Regularly submit yourself to the discipline of rest.
Photo by Daniel Salgado on Unsplash
