Rest

Rest. God commands it (Exodus 20). And the Bible even says he rested. God, he who needs no rest, concluded the creation of the universe and took a day to rest. How much more do we, as weak people, need rest? And how do we teach our children to observe God’s command to rest?

Be still. Some translations say “Stop fighting” (Psalm 46). Stop fighting physically, of course, but it also means to stop fighting against God. When’s the last time you were truly still? What about your kids?

Don’t laugh. Being still is more than just not physically moving our bodies. It’s about learning to quiet our hearts and minds so we can fully recognize that only God is God. Only He can do God things – be everywhere, know everything, and do anything. Our task is to glorify God. That’s it. We can fulfill our purpose without having giant to-do lists and full calendars. Realizing that allows us to rest in His truth and reflect on His holiness.

When we are still in our bodies and minds, we can more effectively talk to God. We can truly lay our burdens at His feet and accept the peace that comes with knowing God has it all under control. It’s not easy to do, and it’s a challenge to teach our kids. But when we learn to rest and teach them in turn, we equip our children with the ability to engage with God in a special way. Let’s set our kids up for a lifetime of peace and rest.

How do you enjoy rest? Ask your kids what they find restful – you might be surprised. Plan a time of rest this week for the whole family.

Quote

Prayer is the key to rest.

For more practical help with discipling your kids, check out Write It On Their Hearts: Practical Help For Discipling Your Kids by Chris Swain with Melissa Swain at www.thegoodbook.com/write-it-on-their-hearts.