Every living creature instinctively seeks safety and a place to rest. Take, for example, lowly earthworms. A turn of the compost pile exposes their half naked fragility. Quick as a wink, they wriggle deeper into protective layers of decaying leaves. This instinct fascinates me, because I can relate. I know what it’s like to be exposed and vulnerable. I’ve wriggled instinctively toward safety and security. Not finding a place of rest is, for all living beings, dangerous and even deadly.
Jesus promises us rest, but it’s not tied to our agility, hard work, or just the right circumstances. He promises us Sabbath rest, and He says we can find that rest in Him alone:
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
Why does observing the sabbath typically inspire little enthusiasm? Jesus promises rest and refreshment, available to all, that’s far better than what we can imagine. Often we can’t relate to that promise. “Rest” may make us envision tea and cotton upholstered armchairs in cozy beach cottages. “Sabbath” may be more reminiscent of unappetizing potluck lunches and forced conversation, rickety folding chairs, and musty church basements. Sabbath rest is available, but too often we don’t understand what we’re missing or where to find it.
I know what it’s like to work without rest — missing out on what’s on tap for free. As a mother of young children, everyday was a workday. Sunday, getting everyone to church, and then volunteering once there, was an exhausting finale to six 14 hour days. Chirpy, well meant advice from church moms’ groups –– ”Schedule ‘me’ time into your week!’, ‘Plan date nights!’, ‘Get together with friends!’” didn’t help. I felt smaller and wearier, a worm unable to wriggle any faster or better. Even without constant pressures, wringing out every last drop of productive energy in my week has often been my siren song.
In 2024, I prayed to walk in Jesus’ “unforced rhythms of grace”. I had been through season after season of exhausting demands. I needed to know I could fully rest in Him. He has graciously answered my prayers and I can attest that His promise is true: “I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Central to my journey has been acknowledging that I matter to Jesus. Adding smart techniques was a surface level tactic doomed to fail. Jesus has reminded me that I belong to Him and that He cares for me. When Jesus says “Come to me”, I need to include myself. When He says “Love your neighbor as yourself”, I matter. I need to drop my guard, accept his care, and settle in close to Him. Taking uninterrupted time to pray, think, and meditate; letting go of control, and saying ‘no’ to unnecessary work and escalating commitment, has transformed my perspective.
Strangely, at least from a human perspective, resting closer to Jesus has helped me make more of an impact in my work and world. I’ve learned to let Him gently walk me through circumstances where I can make a difference, allowing Him to do the doing while I show up with a refreshed heart. He’s not goading me to exhaust myself, giving more than I can, to testify to His greatness. There is plenty of rest available in Jesus, and now I know that I can shine a beautiful light when refreshed by Sabbath.
Application: How have you experienced Sabbath rest? Pray to experience “the unforced rhythms of grace” whatever your circumstances, while believing that rest is assured.
youtube dona nobis pacem traditional cantus (Dona Nobis Pacem)
by Sherry Sommer
