Trade Busyness for Rest: Trusting God with Your Worth
Resting in God has never come easy to me.
I am a Type-A, highly anxious personality. I always have plans, lists, and calendars. And in this season, it feels like rest is completely eluding me. I am a mom of two toddlers. I run a business. And I (just like you) am constantly busy. Sometimes it feels as if we all wear “Busy” like a badge.
As if being busy signifies that we are important and valuable.
And yet this call to busyness does not come from God. He does not ask us to be constantly busy, nor do we need to fill our days to prove our worth.
In fact, He calls us to the opposite. God reaches out and reminds us our worth does not come from how full our days are, or how important we may seem. Our worth comes from the very fact that He created us.
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10, NIV)
Be still. Know that He is God. You are human, and need to rest.
Rest does not take away from how valuable your work is. Rather, it is a reminder that you are human.
If you are tired, sleep. If you are worn out, take a break. If you are burned out, just sit with Jesus and let yourself find your peace from Him.
I saw a quote once that said we are not machines. We are more like gardens. We need sunlight, water, and care in order to grow.
The work you do is important. There are people counting on you, kids who need to be fed, emails to be sent, and events that fill up your days. Just don’t let that beautiful blessed work get in the way of resting and finding time for God in your life.
Today, make time in your calendar. Mark it out. Whether it is five minutes to read a verse, or an hour to sit and journal and worship. Find time to let yourself rest.
If you want to go a step further, then build these rhythms of rest into your life every day. God will meet you there, in that place of rest, and He will bless it.
Scripture for meditation
“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 (The Message)
Prompts for journal and discussion
How have you seen God leading you to rest?
What are some simple rhythms of rest that you can implement in your life?
What activities can you do that bring you closer to God?
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