Y'all asked some awesome questions on rest this week so here are the ones I picked to help guide this blog:

1. What does your typical sabbath look like? 2. How do you make rest a priority when you feel overwhelmed? 3. How do you rest with a crazy schedule? 4. What is rest?

Now, hear what I’m saying, this is not step-by-step scientifically proven “how to rest.” This is just from personal experience and what works for me! You will probably be different, but I hope this at least helps as a guide. 

Throughout my week, I’ll daily find moments where I feel rested: that could be going on a run in the afternoon sunshine or sitting in my room alone in the evening. But those times aren’t “scheduled out.” They’re planned hours if not moments before. I’m sure you relate. 

However, I know those moments can become more sparing as life gets busier, so I try to set an intentional time (in past seasons I’ve been able to set a whole day - but for the sake of reality it’s a chunk of time) in the week that I can truly rest.

My allotted time, most weeks, lands on a Sunday afternoon. Church Sunday morning and then afternoons for REST!:)

So what even is rest? According to the dictionary, rest is:

1. to cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength.

2. to be places or supported so as to stay in a specified position.

3. an instance or period of relaxing or ceasing to engage in strenuous or stressful activity.

The dictionary makes me think that rest means being sedentary, but sometimes I seem to find rest in being active. So let’s go further into the definition of rest and see what the Bible has to say about it. 

“Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.” Hebrews 4:1. Read that again! It seems that rest here is something to be warned about not falling short of. In other words, it seems to be less of a suggestion and more of a command. What a beautiful command!

“And with whom was he [God] angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness? And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed?” Hebrews 3:17-18. As a simple minded gorl, I read this and hear disobedience = no rest SO obedience = rest. Sit with the Lord on that one. 

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.” Hebrews 4:9-11. Everyone works. Whether you have a paid job or not, you still work. So, do something that you don’t do during those normal work hours in the week. This one is pretty specific based on each situation so you figure out what that means for you!

 "Come to me and I will give you rest and you will find rest for your souls" Matthew 11:28-30. A great guide: come to Him. Rest is sitting with him. Talking, laughing, reading WITH Him. 

“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2. Also so simple and straightforward: “my soul finds rest in God.” Rest in God. Be with Him.

So all this is pretty awesome to read and define, but practically what does any of this mean. Well, practically, you get to rest in hearing God for the practicals haha!

Like I referenced earlier from Hebrews 3: obedience = rest. So, first step when figuring out what rest will be, well, ask God! Then whatever he says, do it! And it’s that simple, if you do it, you obey, and if you obey, you rest.

He’s fun! Sometimes he’ll say “paint with me.” Other times I’ve heard “Go on a walk and intentionally look at the sky.” Last week I heard, “go to the park and swing with me.” How sweet it is to be a kid with God. And oh how rested we feel after doing what he says WITH Him.

Okay lastly, simple yet non-negotiables for me (pray if these are practicals you should apply too) because wow they make all the difference obviously #3 haha.

No phone

Honestly I could probably stop right here. If I get rid of my phone, it doesn’t even matter if I’m running a marathon or laying in my bed, it instantly becomes more restful. It’s kind of crazy how the thing that seems to steal those moments of peace or rest is something we carry with us all day every day #guilty. 

Go outside

If it’s not raining or snowing, go do it outside. Getting fresh air, no phone, vitamin D, hearing the birds, gosh just being outdoors is best. 

Obedience

Just keep tuning in and asking the Father. Some days rest can be with other people, meal prepping for the week, creating / planning for the small biz, going to the grocery store, running some miles, calling your mom. Seriously, I don’t think there can be one specific way to rest, I just know as you ask the father, you’ll know what to do. 

I love hearing from ya’ll - thoughts, feedback, YOUR stories, how you relate, what God’s teaching YOU, prayer requests etc!!! EMAIL ME: [email protected]