The Wisdom of Rest

"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy." - Exodus 20:8

Have you ever observed a toddler resist falling asleep? They fight against rest even though it is clear they are extremely tired. Sometimes we're not so different. We continue moving despite feeling exhausted and disregard the rest that our Creator intended for us to take.

God introduced a system of rest from the start because He knew humans would require it even though He did not have that need. Our Heavenly Father understands our needs better than we do ourselves just as a loving parent knows what their child needs better than the child does. Resisting His rest pattern makes us act like stubborn toddlers fighting against what is meant to benefit us. Rest demonstrates wisdom because it shows our understanding of natural human limitations. The truth is when we accept that we are created beings with natural boundaries this demonstrates wisdom, not weakness.

Reflection Question: Which aspects of your life is God inviting you to relax in yet you've been refusing like an exhausted child?

Father, teach me to recognize and embrace the human limitations that I have in my life. Help me develop the wisdom needed to accept rest as Your blessing rather than resisting and rejecting it. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Taken from "Balancing Work and Rest": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/2txh6gb/4-balancing-work-and-rest