Shaped by the GospelSample

Gospel Shapes Our Rest 

There is a profound connection between our work and rest and there is deeper significance between our work and lack of rest. God did not rest on the seventh day because he was tired. Rather, God was giving us a model, setting a rhythm for our life and work. 

Our lack of rest shows who our real master is. When we don’t believe God’s word to provide for us, care for us, to reward us and satisfy us, we seek other things for significance and security. Who or what we worship radically shapes how we work. When we cannot get into a rhythm of work and rest, it reveals that we are slaves to cultural expectations, materialism, success, expectations and approval of people. 

If lack of Sabbath rest is a sign of being a slave, then practicing Sabbath rest is a sign of being free. And the gospel sets us free. 

Sabbath rest is not just taking a break from work. It means to rest from the work you have done, enjoy the result of your work and recalibrate your heart back to God who you ultimately worship. Sabbath rest is not just physical rest but it is a deep inner rest for our heart, soul and mind. 

When I practice Sabbath rest from an understanding of the gospel, then I don’t look for work to provide significance and security. I look to Jesus who approves me because of his perfect work on the cross. Such an understanding of the gospel helps you to enjoy work and the benefits of your work without having to exploit and abuse others. 

When we think about Sabbath rest, we are not talking about being inactive the whole day or wasting time watching our favourite shows; those are signs of deeper heart issues as well. A biblical understanding of Sabbath rest involves not just recreation and inactivity, but it also involves worshiping God, reading and meditating on God’s word. It involves doing work that you don’t do during your workweek like serving others or taking up a hobby. Spending time with family is also part of this rest, though it is not the focus. Keeping a healthy balance of all these and practicing the discipline of rest over a period of time gives us emotional and spiritual health. 

The goal of Sabbath rest is not just physical rest and recreation. The goal is to enjoy God, knowing that He is our rest, and realizing the benefits and freedom that the gospel brings to us.