In looking at the topic of Christian service, we must be diligent in also looking at one other specific topic that partners with our serving: Resting. We live in a time where the term “rest” is only used when we state that we’ll rest when we meet our maker. However, God incarnate, Jesus Christ gave us a beautiful example of working as He did. He gave all His effort in ministering unto other people, helping the sick and lame, and preaching the wondrous Gospel of salvation. Then, our Lord found a place and rested to recuperate.
But, when resting from work, this action is much more than doing nothing. Every account of the Lord resting also includes the specific account of his actions. When Jesus would rest, He would pray to His Father in heaven. This wasn’t a rest of twiddling His thumbs, but keeping close to God, something we do all too often. After Jesus would rest well, He would then go out again and minister. This is the pattern we must also follow: Work, Rest, and Recuperate.
When we schedule a time of rest, we need to be sure we use that time well. A wonderful verse that helps us understand how to be close to the Lord while we rest comes from the book of Psalms. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! (Ps. 46:10, ESV)” Charles Spurgeon in his work The Treasury of David presents that our duty in “being still” results in being still enough that we can see the actions of God’s wisdom without any distraction. Essentially, God calls us to sit down, take a breath, and watch Him work. Then the next piece of the verse comes in. God will be exalted in the nations and in the earth. That’s something we can do as well. When we rest, recall the great works of our Sovereign Lord, past and present, and exalt/praise Him. Thank the Lord for His wonderful works. May that then fuel your rest to then go out and do His will later. God Bless, and Rest Well.
