Creating a Better NormalSample

Rest Is Required 

Most of us are used to being stressed out, overcommitted, and busy. Rest can seem like a sign of weakness or lack of responsibility. But rest isn’t a reward; rest is required.

After creating the world in six days, God rested on the seventh day and called it holy. In fact, mankind was created on day six, and the first thing Adam got to do was rest. Adam didn’t earn rest. He hadn’t done anything. But that’s how God operates. He cares far more about our hearts than our efforts. 

It’s tempting to think that we need to do things for God. In reality, the best thing we can do is just to be with God. We often get it twisted. God cares more about who we are than what we do. 

It doesn’t mean we don’t do anything. God created us to work. Work isn’t the enemy. It’s one of the good things God designed for us. But when we focus on work without rest, it’s incomplete. Similarly, if we only rest without working, we’re missing out on a huge part of God’s plan for us. 

What often gets us in trouble is thinking that what we do is who we are. Think about it. If you’re meeting someone for the first time, what do you usually say about yourself? Usually, we start by saying our names and what we do for a living. But work doesn’t define us, and rest isn’t something we have to work for. 

We’re often tempted to ignore rest because we think everything depends on us. But rest is a reset to remind us that we depend on God, He is in control, and He can be trusted. 

Let’s stop ignoring rest because we think it makes us weak. Instead, let’s embrace rest as the gift it is. It improves our work. It builds our faith. And it helps us trust God more. Because rest isn’t giving ourselves permission to do nothing. Rest is really about acknowledging that God has permission to do everything. 

Pray: God, thank You for the gift of both work and rest. Help me to honor both equally. Grow my faith and trust in You, and help me surrender all control to You. I give You everything, Father. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Challenge: Take a Sabbath—a day off—this week. Consider journaling what God shows you, and talk about how it went with trusted friends.