The Rest We Need

By: Melissa Baker

Rest. We all need it, yet it seems like we never do it. We are all so busy, going nonstop that we forget to rest. We have work, church, school, our kids sports, extra curricular activities, etc. All of that can wear us down very easily, especially if we don't learn to balance everything. This world is chaotic enough without us making it more complicated with our schedules and to-do lists. A lady by the name of Alli Worthington once said "We have to start breaking busy before the busy breaks us." Isn't that the truth! If we don't learn how to rest and take a breather, we will never accomplish anything other than being busy. We need to take a break. We need to rest!

There are several different types of rest. Spiritual rest, physical rest and mental rest. Jesus modeled all of these types of rest. YES, even Jesus needed rest! So if Jesus needed rest, don't you think we need to rest too? First, Jesus modeled spiritual rest. He took time to be alone with God. In Mark 1:35, it says "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." He knew this was extremely important because He needed to hear God's voice. He needed to rest in God's presence. If you make time to pray and rest in God every day, you will be renewed and refreshed.

Jesus also modeled physical rest. He fell asleep on the boat with the disciples in the middle of a storm. Mark 4:38 says " Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him , "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" Even when others were desperately needing his help, Jesus was willing to take a nap and get physical rest. He knew the importance of physical rest. If we don't get the proper rest our bodies need, we are irritable, grouchy and our bodies suffer. We are supposed to take care of the bodies that God has given us.

Lastly, Jesus modeled mental rest. He was not afraid to step away from the crowds. He was willing to go to the other side on a boat, away from everyone who so desperately needed Him. Jesus was clear on what God was calling Him to do, so the needs and desires of others didn't distract Him from the mental rest He needed. Lets remove ourselves from the busyness and chaos and mentally rest.
God doesn't want us to be constantly exhausted and overwhelmed. How can we accomplish all that God is calling us to do if we cannot physically or emotionally function. We cannot function properly unless we have all the required rest our body needs. We need spiritual rest (time with God), we need physical rest (our bodies literally still) and we also need mental rest (time away from the chaos). God wants us to slow down and use our gifts and talents without the worrying or the busyness. We need to fully rest in God. When we do this, our bodies will be energized and our minds will be clear and open to what God wants us to do.  So today, be sure to get all the rest your mind and body is begging you for. Only then will be at your best. And that is what God wants from us, our very best!

"Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Matthew 11:28-30

Have a great day!