Reflection: Resting from our work. We are made in the image of a God who works, and we are made in the image of a God who rests. For some of us, it is difficult to rest. We can see all that needs to be done, and we want to be the ones to do it. However, rest is an act of obedience. It is something we are commanded to do (Exodus 20:8–11), and it is something for our own good (Mark 2:27). It reminds us that God is in control. It reminds us that our minds and bodies are
fragile. It allows us to reflect on our work, and see the goodness in it. It allows us to commit all our work to God in worship. There is something else we learn as we reflect on the Genesis story. Human beings were created on the sixth day, all of creation rested on the seventh day, and human beings started to work with God on the next day. So we also rest, so that we can be effective in our working.
Questions: How can you ensure you observe good patterns of resting from your work: remembering to submit to God, to care for your body, to reflect, to worship and to prepare for work?
Prayer: To the God in whom we can find our true rest, Forgive us for the way we wrestle control away from you by working too hard,
forgetting to rest, or neglecting to worship you. Help us to learn how to rest well, so that we can be more effective in our working for you. Amen.
We’re reading the Bible until June 2nd with Kara Martin, author of Workship: How to use your work to worship God.