Who’s going to look back on this year and wave their hand wildly saying, “I was able to rest lots in 2020!”? Not me! This year shoved on us a constant, underlying level of stress. It’s encouraged worry. For some of us, 2020 added to our already busy lives as we began schooling from home, working from home, doing everything from home. “Home” became ground zero. And that’s not a bad thing. It’s different. But, this year induced chaos in ways many of us have never experienced before. When Home is ground zero, perhaps we need rest even more.
It seems like chaos influences my modus operandi now. I just know there’s going to be one more thing to deal with, one more task summoning my attention.
We can’t always avoid chaos, but we have a choice in how we respond in the midst of it. Sometimes the first step in navigating through chaos is to see that we need rest.
When Life Feels Out of Control
God wasn’t surprised when COVID-19 crested the horizon of our lives and invaded our calendars and plans. He didn’t say “Oops!” when the government started shutting everything down. He didn’t say, “You know what? Don’t worry about resting during this season of history. Just do what you must to get through. Rest is less important than trying to figure out how to keep doing things you’ve always done.”
I wonder if, instead, He’s wooing us into change? Perhaps, He’s drawing us—in the midst of hardship, in the middle of the mess—into deeper intimacy with Him, into slowing down our lives and learning how to rest?
Most of us were probably a little too busy before 2020 hit. Then, sometime in March, our familiar lives tilted sideways as we tried to regain some semblance of normal. Many of us have grappled with non-COVID-related stress as well as the issues surrounding the pandemic.
Yet, in the middle of it all, our Father’s words still hold true.
He tells us we need rest. I had grand visions for slowing down and preparing to write in October. But after some personal mishaps and a family situation, those aspirations faded, leaving me gasping for deeper breaths as I grappled with necessary adjustments.
My first impulse was to shift into management-mode, to stay up too late attempting to do all the things so I can try to fall asleep at an almost decent hour. And then get up and do it all again tomorrow.
I don’t believe that’s what God has asked me—or any of us—to do.
We Must Choose
When we return our hearts to focusing on Jesus rather than our circumstances, we can begin to find rest for our spirits. Being still in His presence can increase our confidence. There is more to this verse and this passage, but this first part is like the invitation from our Father.
When we return our hearts to focusing on Jesus rather than our circumstances, we can begin to find rest for our spirits. #rest #perspective Click To Tweet
He tells us to lay our burdens on His more-than-capable shoulders. God asks us to relinquish control, release our agendas, and entrust our worries into His hands. He encourages us to choose rest rather than “do.”
Not that there aren’t things we need to get done in a day. And, if you’re like me, there’s way more to do than there is time to do it all in. What are we supposed to do with that?
What does rest look like anyway?
Merriam-Webster defines rest, in part, as: “To cease from action or motion, refrain from labor or exertion . . . to be free from anxiety or disturbance”
How do we bring rhythms of rest into our lives? Over the next few weeks, I’ll share thoughts and invite you to share yours as well. I certainly don’t have this all figured out.
We Were Created to Need Rest
Here’s what I know: God established a weekly sabbath, a time for rest because He created us to need it. And, He modeled rest for us.
When we set aside all the things demanding our attention (and yes, it’s a deliberate choice to do this!) and accept His invitation to be still and know Him, this is when we lay the foundation for effective rest.
When we set aside all the things demanding our attention and accept His invitation to be still and know Him, this is when we lay the foundation for effective rest #rest #perspective Click To TweetWhen we choose resting over busy-ness, our spirits, our bodies, our emotions, our souls learn to breathe deep. Stress releases its grip on our hearts, our muscles, our lungs, our minds.
As we wind down from 2020 and prepare for the holiday season, let’s explore what it means to rest. Maybe God will reveal some tools to prepare us for whatever our future holds.
What about you? What’s been the biggest barrier to you finding rest this year? What’s helped you to choose rest this year?
This week, I’m linking up with Grace and Truth, #RaRaLinkup, and #Instaencouragements. Come join and read more encouraging posts!
Such beautiful verses and thoughts on our need for rest. Thank you, Jeanne! And for beautiful photos of nature that rest my soul!
Kathy, thank you for your words. We do need rest, don’t we? This year, especially, I’ve felt the need to rest more and to rest intentionally.
Aw, Jeanne … such wonderful truth you have for us this week. (And photos too!) It’s so hard when we have to set aside those carefully laid plans, isn’t it? I keep trying to remind myself that God knew ALL of this was coming, that in His loving providence He ordained it, and that He is working out His purposes for us through it. My mind believes all this, but my heart still wishes things could be different. I’m looking forward to reading more of your thoughts about rest. My body might not need it so badly right now, but I think my soul does. Hugs, friend.
Yes, Lois, it can be really hard to set aside carefully laid plans! 😉 Sometimes my heart takes a little more time to catch up to my mind as well. As we continue to seek Jesus this comes a little easier. I hope your soul finds rest, my friend! Hugs back. 🙂
Great post. And just staring at your beautiful photos was restful to me today!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post and the photos. 🙂 My hope was that the photos would convey rest.
I’m a life-long Sabbath rester. By setting aside 24 hours each week dedicated to rest, recreation (playdates with God), soul restoration, and revival, I get more done, not less. It’s God’s weird math, I guess. The period in my life where I couldn’t keep the Sabbath (when Pedro had cancer) were some of the hardest, most stressful, and discouraging in my life. Not just because he was ill, but because I couldn’t practice the discipline of rest.
Anita, having a Sabbath rest as a regular part of life must be wonderful. And yes, as I read more about working and resting, I do believe it is God’s weird math. 🙂 I’m so glad you are back to a place where you are able to rest regularly! I appreciate you sharing the benefits!
This is such an important reminder, and I love the photos. The beauty of nature always helps me to feel more at peace. This year I have known my need for rest even more than usual as all the time on Zoom has made me much more tired, but it’s not always been easy to find the time. I like the reminder that it comes from focussing on Christ rather than our circumstances.
Lesley, I’m like you. This year has shown me how desperately I need more rest. The underlying stress of the pandemic and all the changes it’s brought about have left me realizing I need to give myself space to rest. And you’re right…it can be difficult to find the time. I think sometimes we need to do as Laurie mentioned and schedule it in. Easier said than done though . . .
Yes, to rest in Him is the greatest rest, being still & knowing He indeed is God brings true serenity.
My post this week Jeanne is “Tea in the Vineyards”
https://teawithjennifer.blog/2020/10/30/tea-in-the-vineyard/
Blessings,
Jennifer
True words, Jennifer. Thanks for stopping by! I’m looking forward to visiting your place soon.
I always know when I need to rest – and I do just that. The writer who showed us sincere Sabbath rest, Shelly Miller, is now in her eternal Sabbath rest. God bless her family in their loss.
Susan, good for you. Sometimes, I’m attuned enough to know I need to rest, and I’m getting better about heeding my personal cues to do so. Ass, I’m sorry to hear about Shelly Miller. I’ll be praying for her family this week.
So sorry to read you are dealing with some difficult personal issues right now, Jeanne. Prayers and hugs to you, dear friend. Resting is one of the best things we can do for ourselves, but for some reason, it always makes us feel guilty when we do. We schedule everything else, why not schedule time to rest, to pray, to connect with God?
Thanks, Laurie. Yeah, there seem to be seasons when a whole bunch of things hit at the same time. I’m navigating through one of those, but I think I’m coming out on the other side, or at least to a resting point. 🙂 You’re right about us feeling guilty about giving ourselves permission to rest. It’s crucial for our well-being, isn’t it? Yes, we should be intentional about scheduling rest. I so appreciate you!
I’m always grateful to read posts that remind me that it’s important to rest. Even though I’m at home far more, I feel like I still keep a to-do list that’s too long. I’ve been cutting back on it lately to allow more time for mental rest and to clear away the mental clutter. Thanks, Jeanne!
Lisa, it’s such a fine balance between our to-do’s and rest. I’ve been at home for years and I still struggle with that. Yes, we do need to clear away the mental clutter, don’t we?
Important reminder
Thanks, Aaron!
“I wonder if, instead, He’s wooing us into change? Perhaps, He’s drawing us—in the midst of hardship, in the middle of the mess—into deeper intimacy with Him, into slowing down our lives and learning how to rest?” – I’ve had the same thought throughout this year, I like how you’ve phrased it. Rest – is my word for this year and it’s certainly been challenging to do it but in some ways, I’ve seen God-given opportunities to “set aside all the things demanding my attention” and be still before God – mostly because things can get too overwhelming otherwise. Great post – I look forward to the rest of this series 🙂
Wemi, what a great word for the year! I imagine God has taught you a lot about Rest this year. I have found that I’ve become overwhelmed more easily this year than I have in past years. I think it’s the underlying stress of all that’s happened. Like you, I’m finding that I need more quiet time with the Lord to counter the overwhelm.
Excellent post, Jeanne. Sometimes “rest” seems so elusive, yet in the presence of God it is restorative. Thank you for the reminder to come to Him!!
Donna, you’re right. Rest does feel elusive, doesn’t it? But you’re right. In God’s presence, rest is restorative. Thank you so much for stopping by!
Gorgeous pictures and thank you for the reminder that we can find rest by focusing on Jesus.
Happy Tuesday and thank you for hosting!
Jed, thanks for your encouraging words and for stopping by!
Your photos are stunning. I felt my heart rest looking at their beauty.
Awww, thanks for your kind words, Deb!
Your photos are beautiful. I am very thankful to be able to find rest in Him.
Me too, Melissa. Although sometimes I have to come to the place of overwhelm before I remember to actually come to Him. I can be so obtuse. Sigh.
Beautiful, Jeanne! Great photos.
Awww, thanks, Gail!
This is beautiful, Jeanne. “We were created to need rest” Sadly, we have learned to keep going and doing and to carry the weight of our burdens. We were never created with the robust and strong shoulders of the Lord who beckons us to come to Him for rest and desires in every way to carry every one of our burdens.
Amen, Karen! Sometimes we need to take off our superhero capes and hand over the things that burden us to the Lord who can truly carry them. We need only to come to Him.
The words, “Come away my beloved ” were whispering in my heart as I read your post. How we need a heightened awareness of that quiet invitation to his presence.
Ahhh, Michele. Yes, God has given us an open invitation to come away with Him, hasn’t He? We do need a heightened awareness to that quiet invitation He offers.
Isaiah 30:15 is one of my favorite verses. And the hymn Linda mentioned is an all-time favorite, too. When I am overwhelmed, I need to pull back and remember who my confidence is in.
Yet I do struggle, too, with the stuff that still needs to get done. So I look forward to what insights you’ll share in the coming weeks.
Yes, Barbara. When I am overwhelmed I have to do the same thing. Sometimes that looks like setting all my to-do’s aside and giving myself time to do what fills me, or to spend extra time in His word and remember that the Lord is my confidence. Thank you for your words!
I love the frost photo, J, and the snowy photo. We haven’t had a lot snow yet (and I even was quick to get my snow tires on this year), but am looking forward to fluffy snow fall. Through the Ecclesiastes study, I’m learning rest is resting in God’s control, instead of fighting and worrying about what is going on. I’ve also chosen to just ‘play’–do things for the joy of it, with no agenda (currently that looks like paper crafting and have picked up my guitar again) even though ‘goals’ have loomed over me such as getting that writing done! It’s teaching me what it really means when wisdom says our pursuits our meaningless and to learn to use my time more wisely so am resting in God’s control. A perfect theme, you are writing on, during this time!
Oh, Lynn, there is so much to love in your words. I find that allowing my creative side to come out and play is restful for me as a whole. Most of those goals and deadlines we’ve set for ourselves have a little bit of grace in them, don’t they? Sometimes, we do better toward meeting goals after we’ve given ourselves time to unwind from the pressure of achieving. I’m so thankful for your insights!
Rest is not my happy place
and if God don’t like what I have said,
He can tell me to my face
as I’m resting when I’m dead.
I think Tom Petty said it best,
and I’ll do as he has told
on question of my taking rest,
“don’t slow down, don’t grow old.”
The front-porch rocker’s not for me,
nor hammock in the sun,
nor recliner and big-screen TV,
for I was born to run,
and though the race takes all my breath,
I shall keep going unto death,
Andrew, this poem seems to embody your life-mode. You are one of the most determined people I’ve ever “met.” There is definitely a place for striving hard and going after what we believe God has made us to do. There’s also a place for catching our breath, regrouping, and giving ourselves permission to refresh to continue the race. Thank you for your poem. You have given me good thoughts to consider. 🙂 I’m praying for you and Barb, my friend.
This is such a beauiful post. I love how you described that God could be “wooing” us to rest. I believe that. He saw the frenzied pace we were all keeping and He knows how out of breath we feel all of the time. We were created for rest. My best ideas, creativity, and energy comes from rest.
Your photos are stunning today. Love the frost on the leaves.
Yes, Mary. We are so good at doing “frenzy” and not so great at choosing rest. I’m like you in that when I have given myself permission to rest, that’s when my best creativity and renewed energy dawns. Thank you so much for your thoughts!
Good morning, Jeanne! As I read your invitation this morning, this old hymn began to play in my soul –
Jesus! I am resting, resting
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
Thank you for taking me there, friend …
Ahhh, Linda. Those are great lyrics. Thank you for sharing this.