Make Time to Rest

We are a couple of weeks into 2026 and 2025 is feeling more and more like a thing of the past. You have probably even stopped writing 2025 instead of 2026 whenever you write the date.

As you prayerfully step into your plans, targets and set goals for this new year, it is important that you schedule set times for rest. Just like God.

Genesis 2:2 On the seventh day God had finished His work of creation, so He rested from all His work.

Almighty God created the whole world in six days and on the seventh day, He rested. It would not have been difficult for God to create the whole world in one day, or even one second, because nothing is impossible with God, but He chose to space His work out and was sure to add a rest day at the end of it all. There is much to learn form this principle. God values rest and so should we. Work is important, and just as important is rest after our work. It is so important that God included rest in the 10 commandments.

Exodus 20:8-11 Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.

Our creator, the One who formed us and knows every intricate detail about our form and how we function and thrives, says to you, remember to rest. Set time aside to rest from toil, put away distractions and rest in His presence. I know it is easier said than done, especially in the world we live in today that is so different from sayb50 years ago. There is a myriad of distraction, social media, endless activities and things that fill up our calendar. Sometimes as parents if feels like we spend most of our days in the car driving the children from one activity to another, often resorting to having meals on the go in the car to save time. Yes, it is hard to plan rest especially when you are not used to it, but it is not impossible. It might mean signing up for less activities and that is ok.

Rest is not laziness. Rest is a recharge after work. Our bodies are not designed to work nonstop. In the same way we take care to feed our bodies healthy food, let us take care to give our bodies rest. It is not a luxury, but a necessity to rest your mind, rest your body and rest your soul.

In the New Testament, Jesus says: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28. Go to Jesus in prayer and ask Him to give you rest. Ask Him to point out areas of wasted time, ask Him to show you how and where to intentionally add rest to your schedule.

Making small changes can go a really long way in adding rest to your day. Do you always reach for the phone and inadvertently spend 20 minutes to an hour scrolling and catching up? Tomorrow, do not reach for your phone first thing. Instead, say thank You Jesus for the new day as you sit up in bed. Then take a few deep breaths, filling your lungs with oxygen as your whole body wakes up. As you breath deeply, close your eyes and be still. Lord, I give this day to You. Speak to me, guide me, fill me with Your peace and joy. Clear your mind of all things except the Lord. Just five minutes of deep breathing, stillness and quiet prayer will get you started in the right way.

Start your day in God’s rest and that will set the right tone. Read a few scriptures out loud, then stretch a little to get blood flowing and start your day. I like to read the Proverb of the day or a Psalm. All this will take only about 10 to 15 minutes but will have an amazing ripple effect in your life that will be noticeable to yourself and to your family. You will have peace in the midst of chaos and joy that comes with gratitude for life. Then once this is part of your routine, pray on other ways to add rest to your schedule. Maybe one day a week or one day a month, take a couple of hours to retreat to a quiet place. This could be a library, a café or a park during the quiet hours. Keep off the phone and laptop. Rest from the distractions and noise of this world. Be still in His presence and receive refreshment and renewal of your mind, body, soul and spirit. Once you intentionally silence everything else, you will be surprised that you can hear God speak to you more clearly, because you have taken the time to withdraw to a secluded place and to rest from the hustle and bustle of life for a moment. You will return recharged and empowered for the next couple of weeks before you need recharging again.

Mark 1:35 Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and prayed there for a time.