The Divine Invitation to Rest: Embracing God’s Example

2–3 minutes

Pondering rest…

God is rest. He rested as an example to us. But God didn’t just rest on the 7th day, He instituted rest.

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. ²And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.

Genesis 2:1-3

A close-up of an orange cactus flower blooming amidst green cactus pads, with sunlight illuminating the scene.

He created rest on the 7th day. He created a sense of rest. Just like the other 6 days of creating and separating, on the the 7th day God separated rest from work.

And just like God invites us into work. He also invites us into rest.

Maybe like me, you tend to think that we know this simple truth and we do. We know it in our head. We know rest is good for us. We know it as scientific. We know it because it can be proven that rest helps us against pre-mature aging and health issues.

And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

Mark 6:31

However, how many of us can honestly say that we know rest experientially?

Maybe, if you’re willing to be adventurous right now, take 2 minutes to be set apart from the tasks of your day. Go ahead and set your timer and then put your phone out of reach. Sit down. Go outside. Listen to a song for two minutes. Or listen to these birds and the water fountain below.

A serene landscape view with a road leading towards mountains under a cloudy sky, where sunlight is breaking through the clouds, creating rays of light.

In these two minutes, let the profound truth of Who God is for you settle down deep in your imagination. Let it soften a hard place in your heart. Give God quiet and space to speak to you. Listen. Wait. If two minutes wasn’t enough to get your mind quiet. Try again. And again. And again… until this practice of settling into rest becomes a time you desire and enjoy.

Ponders with Jesus and your imagination:

What would it look like if Jesus said to you right now, “Come, follow Me.” What would you have to stop doing? Of what would you have to let go?

What would it look like in your imagination to start to immediately walk with Him – all the while dropping your stuff and receiving His rest?

A couple walking hand in hand along a quiet street, surrounded by trees and buildings under a blue sky with clouds.

Based on your gifts and talents create something tangible ( a story, a song, a drawing, or a dance) out of your pondering experience.

I pray you experience Jesus in His rest, and I pray you will never feel the same about trying to create rest once you’ve tasted of His goodness and delight in His beautiful idea of rest.

Eyes on Jesus and Shine,

Lisa