We were created to work and this is an essential part of our identity. Yet there is also a time to rest and just be. As such, true rest is not just the absence of work, it’s a chance to remember the very essence of our being. And this allows our work to be meaningful and not merely an empty rat race.
God created for six days and rested on the seventh. And this is a good rhythm for us as well. Life becomes soul crushing when it’s all work, but soul numbing when it’s all rest. To be sure, vacations are more meaningful as a break from work. And an endless vacation would quickly become miserable.
But many times the weekend off or even a full vacation doesn’t seem to restore our souls. And we naturally assume we just need more time. And perhaps occasionally this is true, as it often takes longer for the soul to unwind than we typically allow. But maybe more likely is the mindset we bring to our time of rest.
We tend to assume rest is just the absence of work. And so we mistakenly consider bingeing sports or our favorite shows as restful when it’s not so inherently. Likewise, merely going to the mountains or to the beach is not necessarily restorative either. It depends on how we approach and engage our time.
Rest as being means it’s a chance to reconnect with our fundamental nature and remember why we do what we do to begin with. This might come through the joy of relational connection, basking in the beauty of creation, or simply the deep gratitude for what God has given us. Whatever it looks like, we’re doing more than just not working – we’re opening our hearts and souls as we reground ourselves back into the very life of God.
In the end, work hard and be just as intentional about your rest. But remember rest is not just the absence of work; it’s a way to recenter your very being in the life of God.
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