EXPOSE | When to rest and when to work
“Jesus often calls us to rest in the areas of life where our flesh wants to work, and to work in the areas of life where our flesh wants to rest.” – Jon Bloom
EXPLORE | Understanding rest in God
We had the absolute pleasure of being able to live in Colorado for almost 7 years. Nestled along the foothills closer to Boulder, but also within easy reach of Fort Collins, Estes Park, and Denver.
Longs Peak was on display in our neck of the woods, but on a clear sunny day, of which there were many, you could see the top of Pikes Peak all the way down in Colorado Springs. My wife’s parents lived in “the Springs”, so we frequently had the occasion to see Colorado’s most familiar “fourteener” in all its splendor–snowcapped being one of the favorites.
The sun rising on the Rockies is a sight to behold. Though, the Rockies elicit a sense of peace, strength, and majesty at just about any time of day.
The picture above doesn’t do it justice, but as I write this, this is my view–and my rest–sitting on the side porch at my in-laws in Colorado Springs. Fresh mountain air, in a valley just north of Garden of the Gods, relaxing with a latte, leisurely typing away.
This place, at this time of day, is so ripe for peaceful, meaningful reflection. Maybe a little hiking, but a whole lot of relaxing. This to me is the picture of rest.
Fortunately, our rest is not dependent on the environment. In fact, we can find rest “in the midst of the storm”. No mountain view required. That is because true rest, the deepest rest–rest for the soul–is not found in a place, but in a person.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest… and you will find rest for your souls.”
Jesus, in Matthew 11:28-29
Just listen to Jesus’ offer of rest in Matthew 11:28-29: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest… and you will find rest for your souls.” Who says there is no rest for the weary. Jesus extends an open invitation to anyone feeling labored and laden: come and get what your soul needs.
But leave it to us to screw up something as easy as resting. As Jon Bloom reveals, a part of our ‘unrest’ is that we are working at things that we can’t ultimately change, and are resting in areas where we are actually intended to make a difference.
There is a reason I used the word ‘unrest.’ Not to imply that it is the opposite of rest, but that it gives us a glimpse of a soul that has not found rest. While there is the picture of unrest that is fed to us in the news, when we screw up rest our lives do reflect the turmoil and anxiety of being in “a state of dissatisfaction, disturbance, and agitation…” Our souls are overwhelmed and weary, and our unrest causes further unrest.
EXECUTE | Finding rest, not relief, in God
Finding rest in God can be somewhat deceptive because it can too easily be confused with relief. Relief is beneficial, but it is not rest. The rest that Jesus provides isn’t physical, emotional, or mental relief–but is restorative and rejuvenating and frees us from soul-weariness. He addresses the problem, not the symptoms.
Consider the following to help clear up any confusion between the two, and help you escape the cycle of seeking relief:
Rest in… God. I know, but it can be helpful to start with the obvious. We need to remember to not treat God like ibuprofen. While He can certainly provide relief, He alone can provide what we really need: rest. God and rest go hand in hand. If you want rest, it can only be found in God. If you find God, you will have rest. Relief only temporarily soothes the symptoms.
Relief does not relieve unrest. Relief is something we seek, typically when forced. The pain or impasse we’re facing requires us to stop for the moment, without regard for whether or not we should even continue. Relief is a pitstop until we can get back on the road to keep driving in what may very well be the wrong direction. Imagine the ‘unrest’ caused by someone driving down a road in the opposite direction of traffic. Rest releases our grip on the wheel, allowing us to see God’s perspective and to be restored and rejuvenated for the path that He would have us travel.
Pick your yoke wisely. In our pursuit of relief (aka “fool’s rest”), we seek to unburden ourselves. After all, a lighter load means less stress and strain. Good thinking. But, you’re still going to have a yoke–so pick wisely. In Matthew 11, Jesus refers to His yoke as light and easy, which means we have rest from the heavy, burdensome yoke. It’s not that we can ever be free of a yoke–we just need to pick the right one.
Simply: find God, find rest. Rest from the burden of working at what we have no business doing, to instead rest in the Shepherd who leads us beside still waters, restores our souls, and guides us through the hills and valleys of the life that He has intended for us.
Further reading:
Do you work when you should rest?
Giving Sabbath rest
