First Day - The Secret Of RestSýnishorn

Rest Is Relational

“Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31)

There are moments when we need solitude, to be alone to rest and relax. Even though I love company, my wife, kids and friends, there are moments when I just love to be alone, maybe listening to some wonderful music and chilling, while enjoying a little bit of “cave time.”

However, this is a challenge to those who enjoy their own company too much. Rest, if we are not careful, can become a purely selfish act: “It’s all about me-time.” But there is a dynamic of rest to be found in the context of relationships that cannot be found alone. Jesus shows us it is possible to rest and relax with others – not just including them in our act of rest, but showing that our relationship with them is actually part of rest’s rhythm and dynamic.

There is power and healing in the company of good friends and family in the context of true rest. Their presence, reassurance, and commitment actually help in the healing and rejuvenating process that rest is designed to bring. Of course, the key to good relational rest is the quality of those you spend it with. It is important to share such times with those with whom we are comfortable and have complete trust. The spirit of a Sabbath-centric lifestyle can be experienced in the context of a loving, supportive community.

There is a great, untapped power in the area of learning to walk in rest with family and friends. This cannot be experienced when we stand alone. When God came down in the cool of the day in the Genesis account, He came to walk with both the man and the woman. Together they learned to walk with Him, enjoy Him, and live in the power of His rest.

There is a dynamic sense in which rest can be enjoyed with people, as we learn to connect with family and community simply because it is a good thing to do. To enjoy the pleasure of good friends and family around a table of good food will enhance the rhythm of rest in our lives, filling both our stomachs and our hearts. Enjoy “me” time, but true rest can also be found in “we” time.