Our lifestyle in the twenty first century has definitely become increasingly busy! Adults and children alike, have schedules that are so full, that they have almost forgotten what rest is! Phones and laptops that allow work and school to come home and even follow us to bed, might seem like a great thing but how much sleep are we missing out on by constantly staring at screens? Weekends are just as busy, if not busier than weekdays, with so much crammed in, that we often feel even more tired by Monday morning!
In Genesis 2, we see that God set a precedent for us:
"So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation." Genesis 2:1-3 NLT
With the work of creation complete, God rested from His work. He blessed the seventh day and set a pattern by declaring it holy. While we are no longer under the old covenant and law God gave Moses, we would do well to take on this pattern of rest and reap the benefits of spiritual, physical and mental well being —after all, He made us and He knows what is best for us!
There are many other places in the Bible where we find suggestions regarding rest:
""Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world." Psalms 46:10 NLT
"The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams."
Psalms 23:1-2 NLT
Take some time to reconsider your schedule and look for ways to 'be still'. Let the Lord lead you to those green pastures where you can rest! Don't be afraid to sit in a room with the television turned off! Find ways to step outside of your ordinary routine to just "smell the roses". It's surprising that when you do, you will find you are much more productive when you need to be, much calmer, have better general health and are much more likely to be able to listen to the Lord!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for setting a pattern of rest in place for us all. We do seem to have wandered a long way from your original plan for us and it would appear very hard to make changes, especially living in a society where shops are open every day and many people have to work on weekends. Lord I know that it's time to be brave and step outside of what has become the norm, knowing that You will guide me to those quiet places where I can rest. Help me to be still and really connect with You.
Thank You for these quiet moments with You and for the blessings I receive every day as I read Your Word. Thank You for Your love and for the way You show it in wanting what is best for me.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
"For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see."
Psalms 36:9 NLT
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Have you managed to find ways to have intentional rest in your schedule? Please feel free to share in the comments the things that have worked for you or the areas where you are still struggling.
I recently had a forty day fast from the television. It was amazing! I had much more time for proper relaxation and more time to pray and listen to God. It has changed my habits entirely! Now I limit my viewing to just some evenings and only one program. I have a new preference!
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