Embracing Rest
Author:
January 09, 2025
There’s something so peaceful about a snow day. The world is forced to quiet down and suddenly everything slows to a gentle halt. Schools close, work cancels, and the hurried pace of life seems to pause for a little bit. For most of us, it’s a welcome disruption to routine (especially coming off the craziness of the holidays).
While we might initially feel the frustration of disrupted plans or the inconvenience of being housebound, there’s a deeper truth hidden in those moments of forced rest: slowing down is not only good for us, it’s something God calls us to do. In fact, our overall well-being often flourishes when we take time to rest and reflect.
In the book of Genesis, after God created the universe, He rested. God didn’t rest because He was tired, but as a model for us, and the rhythm we should be regularly setting.
In Genesis 2:2-3, it 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. 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.”
God shows us that rest is a blessing. It is a time to reflect, to appreciate the work being completed, and to gain strength to continue on. He invites us into the same model He laid out for us. In our busy, work, play, and hustle-driven world, it can be easy to forget that rest is not just for the body, but for our spirit. The snow day provides us with an opportunity to remember that rest is a holy rhythm of life. It drowns out the noise of day-to-day life, and the chaos is momentarily paused.
When was the last time you had uninterrupted time to sit in God’s presence, reflect on His goodness, and allow Him to speak to your heart?
Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” In the stillness of a snow day (or any moment that we intentionally slow down to be with the Lord), we have the chance to hear God’s voice more clearly. It’s an invitation to lay down our to-do lists and embrace the peace that only comes from Him. Days like this remind us that we don’t always have to strive or rush, we need to rest in Him.
One of the reasons we often resist rest is because we feel like we need to be constantly moving, constantly doing. But this mindset can lead to burnout and stress, and those things are easier to prevent than cure. Days like today remind us that sometimes, we’re forced to stop.
In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus invites us into this rest: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Jesus offers us a rest that is not just physical but spiritual. It’s a rest that comes when we surrender our striving and trust in Him. A snow day can be a tangible reminder that God’s timing is perfect!
Rest doesn’t just replenish our energy—it renews our spirits. During a snow day, it might be tempting to catch up on housework or work emails, but let’s not forget the deeper purpose of rest. It’s not just about recharging physically, it’s about allowing God to renew us spiritually.
As we face the inevitable chaos of our busy lives, snow days, those rare pauses in the fast-paced rhythm of life, are opportunities to embrace the JOY of slowing down. They remind us that rest is not a luxury but a necessity for our body, minds, and souls.
So, today, don’t view the snow outside as an interruption or an inconvenience. Instead, see it as an invitation to slow down, rest, and reflect. Take the time to reconnect with Jesus, knowing that He is the source of all true peace and rest.
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