The Clock is Ticking for You to Get Your Rest
The year has flown by and 2020 is knocking at our door. I can recall New Year’s Eve, 1999, and the clock approaching midnight. I was in middle school, and I remember being terrified of all the Y2K claims of everything shutting down. Life was being reverted back to a primitive caveman-like state (at least that’s what I thought at the time). Now, here we are approaching the 2019 Holiday season.
For me, it always seems like the last quarter of a year is over in a blink, and then we are back in January. As my favorite time of year approaches, where we celebrate the birth of our Jesus, I have one request of you: Don’t forget to get good rest!
If you are like me, your day starts with prayer, praise, coffee, grooming, more coffee and then work. Your work may be different from mine; it may be your career, school, ministry, or whatever you do. Work becomes embedded in our makeup; a day doesn’t seem complete without responding to an email, setting appointments, researching, checking in or something.
But all work and no rest is not a wise way to live. Our God that gave us our dreams, visions, and assignments is also the same God that rested from His own work (Genesis 2:2). Seeing that He is the ultimate and ideal example, let us follow Him and take time to get our rest.
Rest and Sabbath
The Bible tells us in Colossians 2:16 to not allow any person to judge us according to the Sabbath or holy day. So, how you deal with your Sabbath is your personal preference. While I’m not strict on Sabbath days, I embrace and exercise the principles related to it.
In the Old Testament, according to the law of Moses, the Sabbath was the day that the people of God ceased from their own labors by resting and worshipping God. It was in honor of the day that the Lord rested from His labors during the creation (Exodus 20:11). That law was so serious that those who broke the Sabbath were even put to death (Exodus 31:15). Now that we are under the law of Grace, the requirement of observing the Sabbath day is no longer enforced. But, I believe that taking the time to cease from our labors is a great practice of balance, with great results.
3 Good Reasons Why You Should Get Your Rest
1. Rest Allows You to Get Spiritually Charged.
Resting is more than sleeping. According to Dictionary.com, rest is defined as ceasing from work, to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength. God rested, but He never sleeps. One of the special things about the Sabbath is that it was not only a time of rest but worship.
I take the days I rest to stretch out in the presence of God. I seek Him. In that, God strengthens me and recharges me. It is also a time when I get to be purified and cleansed. Now sometimes, I overdue my resting time because I enjoy being in the presence of the Lord. At times, the Lord has to remind me to get back to work, so make sure you don’t get too comfortable.
2. Good Rest is Good for Your Health.
It’s good for our health. Working constantly is scientifically proven to burn you out. We all need rest. At times we can feel invincible and our bodies have to remind us that we are human. One thing my dad always told me is that if your body is down, you can’t work anyway, so take the time to be a good steward over the temple of God. Rest is a part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.
3. Rest Allows You to Love Your Loved Ones.
Isaiah 58 is one of the passages that detail the fast that the Lord approves. In that, the Lord also mentions the Sabbath, because one of the purposes of fasting and the Sabbath are the same – to stop doing our personal will and work for God’s will.
But, there is one verse that always stuck out to me. Isaiah 58:7 says, do not hide from your own “flesh.” In other translations, they use the term “relatives.” Your spouse, children, and family are responsibilities and blessings the Lord has given you. In that rest, God says don’t forget them.
Take the time you are resting to love on those who love you and need your love. At times, I can find myself so immersed in work that I allow precious time with loved ones to slip away. It wasn’t until I lost my dad that I truly understood the need to not take those times for granted. Even if you don’t celebrate the holidays, spend time with people who need your love – and make time for them to love you back.
SO, WHAT’S THE PLAY CALL?
Genesis 2:2 says, “And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.”
Teammate, rest is blessed and approved by God. I don’t know if 2019 has moved along so fast that you haven’t had the time to get your needed rest, but I encourage you to make time.
Something can be rescheduled – your needed spiritual replenishing, health, and family time are depending on your rest. As I reflect on the times I stopped from my work and rested, these are the times that have been most memorable and rewarding to my heart. It was the time I experienced God, felt my best, and made moments with the people I love.
I pray this encourages you to reflect. Take some time in this last quarter of the year to rest. I know it will be edifying to your life.
