Have you ever fought the idea of resting? Personally, I love to be on the go. Whether it’s church, writing, gardening, helping others with some activity, or shopping. I’ve always striven to stay busy.

Over recent years, I’ve learned from the Lord that there are times when He wants me to take an extended time of rest. That’s hard for me. In addition, with increasing age, I’ve discovered my body often yearns for a midday nap. As you can guess, learning to satisfy this need has sometimes been challenging. Although I don’t always sleep, putting my work to the side, getting up and moving about helps to re-energize me.

However, the extended rest I mentioned above is days or even weeks worth of taking time to put activity aside. I recently experienced such a request from the Lord. My summer has been filled with wonderful activities, but resting was not on the agenda most weeks. Sometimes not even taking my much needed Sunday nap.

So as we reached the end of the summer, I utilized a week of vacation to fulfill God’s requested time of rest. I found myself at the edge of a creek, listening to the rushing water flow over the huge boulders. The only thing more calming is to be sitting in that cold rushing water, feeling the power and pressure flow over my feet and legs. I can tell you it has been a true gift to let go of a busy schedule and let my body collect itself.

So where did this idea of rest, relaxing and napping come from?

In case you aren’t sure, check out Leviticus 23:3. The Lord tells Moses that the people are to work for six days and rest on the seventh day. He calls it a Sabbath’s rest. All through the Old Testament the sabbath is a subject of discussion especially when it comes to the land. It’s not until Jesus comes along that he tells the disciples that the Sabbath was made for man… to give us rest. (Mark 2:23-28)

I recently learned that prior to the command in Leviticus, the Israelites had been forced to work everyday in Egypt! Can you imagine? No time off! I know when I’ve done that, as I mentioned above, my body and mind pay the consequences for weeks. Now picture this… Being told to rest when you’ve never heard of such a thing. I figure they probably had trouble wrapping their heads around the idea of a day without work.

Knowing the trouble I have allowing myself to rest when I already know about resting, I can’t imagine how difficult it was for them. Routine is so important to most of us. And breaking a pattern is tough. Even when the break is needed and a good thing, it can be hard to adjust.

I don’t know where you stand in giving yourself time to rest, but I encourage you to find the time. You’ll be amazed at how your body thanks you.