The world tells us that rest is overrated. Push yourself harder – do more – sleep less. The world says, productivity is more important than recharging physically because you don’t have time to slow down. We are seekers of accomplishing more in a day’s time, but at what cost?

I am caught in the whirlwind of what the world says over and over. My mind knows better, but there is something so addicting when following the norm rather than creating our own path. We love the feeling of belonging whether it is best for us or not. There are times that sitting in that place of doing what everyone else is doing is easy and feels normal. Why mess with easy and normal, right?? My mind says go with the flow, but my heart and body say “rest is best”.  In a world that speaks louder than your common sense, which one would you choose?

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I am a believer in creating rhythms for my life. Rhythms that work in sync with all parts of who I am. Rhythms such as well-being, worship, God’s Word and welcome. The chance to find the pause in our days as I wrote about last week. This week I am looking at rest and the importance of adding that into the pauses we create in our daily life.

Rest is a rhythm that I continue to learn as I practice slowing down and regrouping. When you look into the meaning of rhythm, you find it is a natural flow, a cadence, or a repeated pattern. If we are true to embracing a rhythm, we need to practice it again and again. It is not pausing and resting one day and forgetting about it for weeks after that.

God calls us to rest more than once as He teaches us the importance of adding this rhythm to our lives. He begins modeling rest  in Genesis as He creates the world. Genesis 2:2 tells us that on the seventh day, God rested. God declares the Sabbath a day of rest again in Exodus, as Moses is leading the Israelites across the Desert of Sin. The theme of Sabbath rest turns into rest in God in the Psalms.

Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5

As we travel through the Bible, we find people seeking rest. Eventually we come to Matthew who outlines these words about rest.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29

[Tweet “Find your rest in God. Lay your burdens at His feet and begin the long exhale of renewal.”]

God is the answer as we are seeking rest. He craves the slowing down, leaning in and the search for renewal in Him. Our rest is always found in God. When I read that following God will bring rest to my soul, I exhale long and slow. The answer is right in front of us. The chance to grab hold of rest is one long exhale away.

Will you choose to pause and rest today? How does resting restore and renew you? Are you ready to lay it all before God in an act of letting go, leaning in and listening to the restorative whispers of His love?

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I am choosing a week of rest as I pause to regroup, restore and renew body, mind and soul. I will see you back here next week.

***Did you know that life’s rhythms are an area I need to practice more of in my life? I seem to need these lessons often as I maneuver through life. Because of my journey and desire to learn more, I have put together a 7 day Devotional called, Finding the Rhythms of Your Life, which is my gift to you just for subscribing. See the sidebar or below to sign up to receive your own copy. I pray these 7 days help you in your own journey of discovering your life’s rhythms.

Blessings of grace along the way!

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Linking with Lisha @Give Me Grace

 

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