Biola University
Hi friends!
I am currently writing this blog post from my bed with my window open. I have a view of the beautiful sky as the sun is just beginning to set: a perfect setting for the topic of this blog -- REST!
Personally, rest is a difficult idea to wrap my mind around. So to start, I like to look at what Scripture says about it. From the very beginning of time, the concept of rest has been sacred and set apart. Rest is so important to God that He demonstrated it when he created the world, even though he is the only one who does not need to rest. Genesis 2 says this:
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”
The all-powerful, all sufficient God of the universe RESTED. Wow. Rest gave meaning to his work of creation.
The Christian community likes to call this day of rest Sabbath. I have even heard the word used as a verb: “I am sabbathing today.” John Mark Comer, author and Pastor of Bridgetown Church explains sabbath as an expression of faith -- faith that there is a Creator and he’s good. We are his creation. This is his world. We live under his roof, drink his water, eat his food, breathe his oxygen. So on the Sabbath, we don’t just take a day off from work, we take a day off from toil. We give him all our fear and anxiety and stress and worry. We let go. We stop ruling and subduing, and we simply be. We “remember” our place in the universe. So that we never forget..."There is a God, and I’m not him.”
Taking time to intentionally plan your week to set aside a specific day as your ‘Sabbath Day’ is a really good way to give yourself rest. We were not created to only work. God wants us to give ourselves empty space and margin to step back, reset ourselves and breathe.
Sabbath does not have a formula either because rest looks different for everyone. Sabbath can be anything from staying in bed, curled up with a cup of tea and a good book or a beach day with your best friends -- whatever fills you up spiritually, physically and emotionally! Personally, on my Sabbath I like to journal and assess my mental and emotional well being, paying careful attention to the thoughts inside my mind and the emotions that surface.
In addition to Sabbath, sleep and alone time are two of my favorite ways to rest throughout the week. Getting sleep in college can be very difficult, but I try to prioritize my sleep as much as possible. Normally I get around 6-7 hours per night (this is not very good, but I am working on it!) but I also have been working on my power napping skills. :)
I also try to have an hour or two of alone time per day in addition to my quiet time to pay attention to myself and listen to my mind and body.
I hope this is encouraging for you. We are in this together! Above all else, look to Jesus to give you rest. He promises it when we ask for it!
“Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest…” Matthew 11:28
Until next time!!!
Jess
Photo by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash
