Reflection: The end of striving

If the achievement addict thrives on work and success, they won’t be able to quit either and rest from their work. Whatever breaks they do take may just be another ‘productivity hack’ that recharges them for their work, rather than rest pursued as an end in and of itself.

But God rested from all his work. It’s an incredibly provocative idea. The one with all creative power, unrivalled agency, and unlimited resources doesn’t create an infinite To Do list and set about crossing items off it into eternity. In resting from his work, God reminds us that the point of life is not endless work, but pleasure and enjoyment in a job well done, a world well made.

For us, a weekly rhythm of six days work, one day rest enables us to lean into the reality that God and his blessings exceed all our efforts. This may make for a profound – if unexpected – achievement: the realisation that the end of human striving is where the work of a loving, generous God begins.

Prayer:  Gracious Father, help us to rest in a busy world where no one feels they can rest. Help our rest now to anticipate the rest we have in you forever. Thank you for the way you generously provide for us in innumerable ways. You are the God from whom all blessings flow. Amen.