R.E.S.T.

When we care for others, our spouses, our children, our relatives, our colleagues, and those we serve in ministry, the idea of rest can seem like an unrealizable ideal. How can I rest when there is so much I need to do? If I rest, will it get done? We get into a never-ending cycle of doing and working, juggling a multitude of tasks and hoping to keep each ball in the air because we believe that if we don’t, everything will come crashing down.

Well, the truth is, we were never holding it altogether in the first place. God has always been the one sustaining things, working things out, opening doors, closing others, and providing a way when there seemed to be none. It has always been Him and always will be Him. So what does that mean for us? We can REST! Not feeling a need to keep everything afloat and hold it all together. That’s pressure God didn’t intend for His children to have. He wants us to rest in Him, to rely on Him completely, to surrender to Him daily, to trust Him fully. 

Now, I am aware of the challenge of doing this, but I am also aware of the great reward of walking in the reality of God’s rest. I am also aware of the necessity of rest when it comes to discipling our children. When our lives lack margin, there is little to no room for God to dwell in our hearts and homes, and while our spirits are willing and eager to do the Kingdom work of discipling our children, our schedules often don’t permit it. So what can we do when we are spiraling, exhausted, trying to do all the things, overwhelmed by our thoughts, trying to figure it all out? We can Reset, Evaluate, Surrender, and Trust. We can R.E.S.T.

R. Reset

When we feel ourselves spiraling, we can pause, call a timeout, and hit the reset button. This sometimes requires a reset of our physical space. Have you ever found yourself cleaning more things, organizing more spaces, creating more to-do lists, all because you can’t find free space, mentally or physically? The clutter of the mind or physical space becomes a constant reminder of things we need to do, and there is less intention around just being. But our Heavenly Father made us human beings, and He desires to dwell with us. Will we intentionally make space to dwell with Him? 

Consider your physical space? Is there space for you and God to dwell? Is there a space where your family can come together to read and talk about God’s Word? If not, you can hit reset today and create space to meet God individually and as a family.

Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them. 

Exodus 25:8

E. Evaluate

Sometimes I find myself constantly on the go. My schedule is packed and even overbooked, and I feel like a hamster on a wheel, running hard, expending energy, yet getting nowhere. I realized my days were often ruled by tasks instead of the Master. If you find yourself in a similar place, it might be time to pause and evaluate how you’re spending your time.

Consider your doings. What’s motivating your actions and activities? When you look at your calendar, what does it reveal about what you value? Our priorities are often made clear by how we choose to spend our time. Look how God spent His time.

God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.

Genesis 1:3

S. Surrender

When our days are filled, it’s often hard to know what to prioritize. We run from one thing to the next without rhyme or reason, and we shuffle through tasks based on what feels urgent and important. But God invites us to rest in Him and surrender our days, schedules, tasks, and to-do lists to Him. If anyone knows how to prioritize, it’s Him! The One who knows all things! He will show us what is on His heart, share what He is permitting in this season, and show us the people and resources to help with the various tasks. 

Invite God into your situation. Invite Him into your day. Invite Him into your life! Completely surrender to Him and ask Him to prioritize your day. Ask Him what He has permitted you to do, and ask Him to show you the people and resources to help you. He wants you to bring everything to Him. Nothing is off-limits.

They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you. That is why he gives you a two-day supply on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must each stay in your place. Do not go out and pick up food on the seventh day. Exodus 16:29

T. Trust

Resting in God takes real trust. It requires that we challenge beliefs like, “I need to know it all,” “I need to have things all figured out,” “Do I know enough?”, or “Am I enough?” These thoughts might arise when we’re trying to get all our tasks accomplished and be everything for everyone, and they also arise when we consider the work of discipling our children. Fortunately for us, God didn’t ask us to be Him; He just asks us to trust Him. He wants us to become like children who depend on their parents and fully rely on Him for everything. We can trust that He is in control, so we don’t need to be. We can let go of trying and striving to do all the things. We can even let go of picture-perfect roles - spouse, parent, disciple-maker - and embrace the grace that God gives us to support, lead, and disciple. 

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Matthew 11:28-30 MSG

Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Teacher, Counselor, Mentor, Business Owner, whoever you are…when you notice you are overwhelmed by spiraling thoughts, trying to do everything right, your schedule is packed with no margin, and you’re nearing the point of exhaustion, this might be a sign that you are at a rest deficit. So, Reset, Evaluate, Surrender, and Trust. Get some REST!

Lord, 

I pray that you help us to embrace your Kingdom principle of rest. You do not desire for us to serve from a place of exhaustion and overwhelm, but rather from a place of abundance where we fully rely on and rest in You. Help us to resist trying to do it all and figure everything out. Help us to trust in You, our all-knowing and all-sufficient Father. You have a plan for our lives, and it is good.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

insight: Just R.E.S.T. - Reset, Evaluate, Surrender, Trust

Check out Kaycie's Corner Bible Study on REST on our YouTube Channel.