Pursuing Rest
By: Toney-Paite Phillips
What has been hardest for you in pursuing regular Sabbath rest?
Weekly burdens or distractions tend to distort my view of Sabbath rest. I often believe the lie that I must accomplish all that I’d set out to do in a week in order to merit the rest that I so desperately crave. It sounds like this in my head, “You know if you don’t get this last thing done, you won’t be able to enjoy your Sunday.”
This false Sabbath narrative stems from my assumption that I am the sustainer of my world. The irony behind the “work for rest” mindset is that it distorts God’s design of Sabbath; keeping a Sabbath sounds like another impossible task to accomplish. Although subtle, this self-protective, work-for-rest mindset usually ends in burnout; an arresting propensity of mine that my Father continues to use in His endless pursuit of me. What has been most meaningful for you about practicing Sabbath? Sabbath really is holy; set apart. It is a deep breath of life for those of us who quickly forget how to breathe. “For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy” (Exodus 20:11).
On their first full day, Adam and Eve literally rested, explored, and walked with their Father in the Garden of Eden! Rest with God prepares Adam and Eve to fill and subdue the land (Genesis 1:28). If we Sabbath with The Lord of the Sabbath, our understanding of productivity will dramatically change, and that is very good news! The rhythm of Sabbath rest turns our restless, upside-down world, right-side-up again.
I have come to believe that this rhythmic rest is the cadence of our world. It is the joyous song of life, eternally played by The Composer Himself. Our Father’s desire for us in the Garden has not changed: He loves to teach His children the joy of playing His Sabbath Song! “Holy, Holy, Holy is The LORD GOD Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8)
So, the pressure is off! Sabbath is The LORD’s, not mine. Rest can look different week to week. I do not really have a regimented way of “sabbathing.” I do, however, have a few go-to forms of rest that I now crave:
For one, I usually sabbath on Sundays.
Occasionally, I’ll make my favorite foods.
Alarms are a no-go!
I do not do school or work (so hard when you know you’ll miss a deadline!!!)
Depending on how tired I am, I’ll read something enjoyable or take a nap.
If, for whatever reason, I have all of the energy in the world, I’ll get outside, walk, or climb.
Although difficult, time away from my phone is wonderful!
I’ve learned that I am actually an introvert and, therefore, need to guard some aspects of personal rest.
However, when I begin to obsessively protect my time at the expense of others, I am reminded that The Sabbath is not mine. One anecdote to this tendency is to seek ways of incorporating rest with others and learn to engage in their habits of rest.
PLEASE NOTE: Sometimes rest is scary. Boredom, stillness, and reflection often threaten to tear down our idols and reveal our wayward hearts. Rest before a Holy God is expulsive, but vital for the puffed-up soul. Discomfort is good! God also uses rest to teach us how to lament and to grieve. Our Father frees us up from the demands of this world to remind us of the one that is to come. Enjoy it! Get creative in it! True rest is always worshipful, and our souls know what this is like. Trust that our Father is the Sabbath Keeper. Ask Him for help. Get to know Jesus who says to us, “come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).