“And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.” Genesis 2:2 

It is way too easy to get wrapped up in the business of life, isn’t it? We have to do this and we have to do that and before we know it every minute of every day on our calendar is filled to the brim. We even have to “fit” reading God’s word into our busy schedules. Almost as if having some down time is sinful. I know that on those days when I have nothing going on I just want to lie around in my pajamas and revel in the fact that I don’t have to be anywhere. However, when I think too hard about it I begin to feel guilty, like I should be up doing something. Down time feels foreign sometimes. When I read this verse God reassured me that rest isn’t just OK it is good and essential. The creator of heaven and earth found time to rest. God knows what He is doing. Who am I to question whether or not I should take a day to do nothing but rest. The truth is we can better serve God when we have found time to rest. When we are overworked and exhausted we can’t be the parents to our children God calls us to be, we can’t be the spouses God has called us to be, we can’t be a friend to someone in need and we can’t do our jobs to the glory of God if we have not found time to rest. Let’s commit to not feeling guilty when we rest. God rested and it is good.

Prayer

Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for this reminder to rest. We know that You rested and rest is good. Help us take time to restore our bodies and our minds. On those days of rest help us to spend them in thanksgiving to You. In Jesus Name, Amen