Unrushed Living: Embracing Simplicity and Savoring Life's MomentsSample

Rest: First and Foremost

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” ISAIAH 41:10

Alcohol. Gaming. Shopping. Spilling the tea about other people’s problems. She and her friends had experienced every kind of distraction. If she didn’t have firsthand experience, she’d seen it in the ones she loved. And there was entertainment, yes. But there was never fulfillment. There was only wanting more of what wasn’t satisfying. Finally one day she decided to tell God she was sorry and to start again. He helped her to choose wisely and set limits. It was then that her whole life began to sing.

What we don't often consider is how the things we seek for entertainment take a toll on our bodies. Literally anything that becomes our center of focus begins to eat away at our happiness and effectiveness for God. Exercising is wonderful, but it can become a god. Scrolling can be all-consuming. The work of making and spending money can actually become more expensive to our joy than living simply and frugally. God has provided everything for our enjoyment, but He gives us the responsibility of learning what is good for us and setting the right limits. If we’re not setting our minds on Christ, then what exactly are we aiming for? What about you? Are you seeking your rest in Jesus, or are you mistaking entertainment for rest? Ask Him to clear your mind and help you find your peace in Him first and foremost. From there, everything else will fall into place. And you just might find that the things you once turned to were actually keeping you from peace in the first place.

God,

may I find rest in You and only You. I pray You fill my heart with Your peace that continues to surpass all understanding. May I trust You like never before and rest assured that You have everything figured out. I don’t have to wear these burdens anymore. I know that Your peace is sufficient for what I need, and that alone is good enough for me.

In Jesus’s name, Amen.