God At WorkPrimjer

Take Time To Rest

Since work can be physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting, we need to take a day off once a week to rest and rejuvenate ourselves. On the one hand, we must avoid being lazy. On the other hand, we must not be workaholics. Some think that the world would cease to function if they don’t work endlessly! But the Lord both works and rests. God Himself rested in order to set a pattern for us: “And 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” (Gen. 2:2). And He commands us to do the same. 

It’s important to balance work with rest. The Bible says that “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for He gives to His beloved sleep” (Ps. 127:2). So, sleep is a gift from God. Your body is “a temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 6:19). That’s why we must take care of our bodies. We must realize that humans were not designed to work continuously. If we don’t take ample rest, we will experience burnout. So, we need to take care of our bodies by taking adequate rest. Along with a weekly day off, going out on vacations occasionally with your family can benefit you physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.

Our ultimate rest is found in Christ alone. He invites all those “who labor and are heavy laden” to find spiritual rest (Mt. 11:28). Further, the writer to the Hebrews says “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from His” (Heb. 4:9-10). As God’s children, we’ve ceased to earn salvation through our good works and now we “rest” in what Christ has done for us. Our physical rest reflects the spiritual rest we have in Christ. So, take some time to rest today.