True Rest

Taking a Look at Print Media: Sleep Thieves by Stanley Coren

A friend of mine bought me the book Sleep Thieves by Stanley Coren for my birthday this year. The book addresses the sometimes unrealized price of losing sleep, something I am quite familiar with when a busy day rolls around (which seems to happen quite too often). I read the introduction and first chapter yesterday, where Coren describes how an hour or two of sleep tends to get ousted first when we are trying to fit more activities into our day: “‘I’ll simply set the alarm clock a half hour earlier…” (Coren 6). 

A Dose of Reality

The truth of the matter is we need eight hours of sleep. Even reducing our sleep to seven hours can be detrimental to our health and performance efficiency. But that’s another discussion for another time (and a lesson I still need to learn myself). Even the Lord rested (Genesis 2:1-3), and He created the Sabbath for man and woman to rest (Exodus 20:8-11). But in addition to physical rest, there’s another kind of rest God has been impressing on my heart: spiritual rest in Him. 

The Deepest Rest

Where do you go to find your rest? Another friend of mine asked me this question the other day. As important as food and sleep are, are they the source of your deepest rest? If you need to rest for 15 minutes before work, do you flip on the television and find a lighthearted comedy? Or maybe turn on your iPod? None of these things are bad in of themselves, but sometimes I find it’s easy to develop a pattern of doing the above more often than using those 15 minutes to meditate on the Word of God or pray. Ultimately, true rest can only be found in the arms of Jesus. As believers, God has made rest a state of our spirits and souls. We are not to work to rest, but work from the rest of the Lord He has already given us.  Christ has left His peace with us (John 14:27) and quiets us with His love (Zephaniah 3:17). One day, we will experience the epitome of God’s rest when we are with Him, in His Presence for all eternity. But until then, we can still take refuge in Him daily.

So brothers and sisters, be still, and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). Know that the Savior King is your Comforter and Sustainer. Know He is your strength and your fortress (Psalm 18:2, 28:7). Let the joy of the gospel refresh your spirit. Rest in Jesus. 

For further reading on spiritual rest, Hebrews 4 is a wonderful chapter.

Blessings,

Joanne Michelle

“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 (ESV)