Day 16: When We Accept the Uncomfortable Gift of Rest

I buy into the lie that my value comes from my productivity.  I buy into the lie that if I’m busy, I’m making a difference.  I buy into the lie that if I don’t keep moving, it will all fall apart.  I buy into the lie that if I stay busy and moving that I will get it all done – and done well- and then I can finally rest.

I buy into the lie that once I finish this (whatever this may be) then I can rest.  But that rest never comes because the next pressing thing pops up.  The rest is like a mirage in the desert.  I can see it, so I keep lunging forward.  I’m thirsting for it.  Almost there, so close I can taste the water.  And so I trudge harder until I think I’m there.  And it disappears.

Do you buy into any of these lies?

Rest will never fall into our laps.  It’s a gift from God.  We can make the choice to accept this gift and leave the guilt in the desert.

Women in particular struggle with this guilt of rest.  Working or staying at home doesn’t matter, each of us struggles with the guilt of rest.  If we work outside the home how can we rest when there is so much to get done?  We’ve worked all day, now we need to switch hats and take care of the family and the house.  If we stay at home we are working hard all day and seeing little results it seems.

Rest is a gift.  Rest is crucial to our sanity and to our JOY.  Surprisingly, rest will actually produce better productivity.  It’s a discipline and takes time to develop.

One of my favorite authors is Keri Wyatt Kent– who, by the way, endorsed my first book, Seeking Christmas.  I first learned of her when a friend recommended I read Breathe.  The title alone brought me peace.  That is what I needed… to simply Breathe!  Then I came across her book Rest.  Again the title spoke to me.  The subtitle is Living in Sabbath Simplicity.

This book coupled with a challenging message we heard in church spurred us towards following the command from God to rest on the sabbath.  Not an option, a command.  Could we obey?  It’s easy to not kill, not steal, but to rest?  Is that possible in today’s world?  Surely this is an outdated command, right?  Not so.  God’s Word is timeless and He sees it all, which is why He commanded it.  He knew we wouldn’t do it on our own.

One of my favorite excerpts from Rest by Keri Wyatt Kent:

“As the quote at the beginning of this chapter points out, our restlessness injures the people around us, who need our attention more than they need our accomplishments.  Our children need us to have the time to look them in the eyes, to ask about their lives, to give them the gift of attention.  And we need that as well.”

“Resting seems wasteful, extravagant, a luxury a person as busy as we are cannot afford.  But really, and here’s another paradox, resting is as necessary as breathing if we are to do more than cling to the cliff of life by our fingertips.  It’s something we cannot afford to do without, but once we learn how to do it, feels luxurious.  It’s a gift, but we can’t receive it if we don’t stop to open it.  Once we do, we realize that stopping, resting, is actually the secret to getting more done, to understanding living our true priorities, to enjoying our lives, and to experiencing the presence of God.”

Start small, friends.  Change begins with a decision.  That decision becomes one small step.  If resting for an entire day seems too daunting, try 5 minutes a day.  Progress from there.  God commands it.  It’s a gift.  Take His gift.  It’s meant only for your good.

[box] This is Day 16 in a series, 31 Days to Get Uncomfortable With God. Please click here for a listing of all posts in this series. If you would like posts delivered to your inbox, please click here.[/box]