Refreshing Rest
The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’ ”
Exodus 31:16-17
Just like I’ve had a poor relationship with work, the same is true with rest.
I used to think that rest was doing whatever was most fun. Fun is restorative right? The only problem is that I walked into Christianity thinking fun was drinking with mates, gambling and entertainment (gaming mostly). And these things can be fun. But are they refreshing?
Well, I’ve found that actually they aren’t like I thought they were. Here’s the problem. Some forms of fun actually lead to a form of work. I think Peter captures it when he says, “dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.”
What’s the problem with resting by indulging in things you find addictively fun? It’s that they pull at you for the rest of the week.
Do you struggle to stay off instagram at work?
Do you dream of being at home watching TV?
Do you avoid other more helpful activities like exercise, reading, Church, praying because you find them so much harder than escaping?
I’ve been working really hard at changing how I rest. It’s been many years of change (I haven’t done the drinking/gambling for a long time). But lately, I’ve been weaning myself away from bingeing on entertainment.
It’s not that I can’t watch a movie or a show. Or pop on Facebook. It’s that I start with being in the Scriptures and prayer. I make sure I do some exercise. I read. And for a short time I might enjoy a show or a movie.
It’s helping me. Could it be worth a try for you?
For Today:
Pray:
Praise the Father that He is offers us a Sabbath rest.
Give thanks for Jesus for His work that allows us to rest from our works.
Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others be wise in the way you rest.
Exodus 31:16-17
Just like I’ve had a poor relationship with work, the same is true with rest.
I used to think that rest was doing whatever was most fun. Fun is restorative right? The only problem is that I walked into Christianity thinking fun was drinking with mates, gambling and entertainment (gaming mostly). And these things can be fun. But are they refreshing?
Well, I’ve found that actually they aren’t like I thought they were. Here’s the problem. Some forms of fun actually lead to a form of work. I think Peter captures it when he says, “dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.”
What’s the problem with resting by indulging in things you find addictively fun? It’s that they pull at you for the rest of the week.
Do you struggle to stay off instagram at work?
Do you dream of being at home watching TV?
Do you avoid other more helpful activities like exercise, reading, Church, praying because you find them so much harder than escaping?
I’ve been working really hard at changing how I rest. It’s been many years of change (I haven’t done the drinking/gambling for a long time). But lately, I’ve been weaning myself away from bingeing on entertainment.
It’s not that I can’t watch a movie or a show. Or pop on Facebook. It’s that I start with being in the Scriptures and prayer. I make sure I do some exercise. I read. And for a short time I might enjoy a show or a movie.
It’s helping me. Could it be worth a try for you?
For Today:
- How do you rest/be refreshed?
- Are you turning to God/healthy gifts to be refreshed?
- What’s one thing you need to change about how you rest?
Pray:
Praise the Father that He is offers us a Sabbath rest.
Give thanks for Jesus for His work that allows us to rest from our works.
Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others be wise in the way you rest.
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