Relax and Restore
Simply Radiant Magazine
By Brittany Wallace
Life demands a lot from us. Between school, work, church activities, errands and spending time with family, it’s easy to forget to take a break and just rest. Sometimes we can become so busy with our schedules that it takes a break down in the body, like catching a cold or becoming physically exhausted, for us to realize that it’s time to chill out.
“By the seventh day, God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work.”
God perfectly designed the human body to be active and to need rest to restore and replace the energy that we’ve used throughout the day. He knew that we would need to take a day off from every week to just rest, and He set the example for us to follow when He created the world. Genesis 2:2 says “By the seventh day, God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work” (NIV). Rest is mentioned again in Exodus, but this time it’s in the form of a command.
God gives us commandments because He loves us so much and wants us to experience a full life in Him. Taking time out to relax and be restored is something that is essential to properly functioning the way our Creator intended us to function.
“Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest.”
Jesus takes the idea of rest a step further in Mark 2:27 when He said “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (NIV). Resting is good for us, and God created us to need it so that we don’t burn out while doing His work.
So how can we have a Sabbath and enjoy it?
- Do nothing. That’s right, simply do nothing. Try laying your head on a pillow and imagine you are resting on God’s lap. That thought alone can provide so much peace and relaxation that everything on the “to-do list” floats away.
- Take a nap. Play soft worship music while falling asleep; it’s a great way to rest your mind and your body.
- Worship God. Leave every worry and care at His feet, and focus on how truly amazing it is to be in the presence of the Almighty King. Worshipping God gives rest to your spirit and quiets everything else that may be going on in life.
- Enjoy Life. Doing an activity or hobby gives you a break and recharges you; play a sport, paint, or watch a movie.
Remember, our goal should always be to pursue God in everything that we do. God designed us to need rest - in fact, He commands us to do it. So let’s take advantage of the Sabbath and rest so that we can be our best for Him.