Rest! You need to sleep, rest, and relax. Do not live your life like it all depends on you. It does not. Even your ability to produce wealth is not yours but God’s (Deut. 8:18, “But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth”).
Does it mean we do not need to work? I did not say that. Our point here is that we live and work dependently with God. All effort is vain without God; we need Him both as part and at the very center of our lives. It is tempting to have the mindset of working for the sake of being a good steward to your work as God’s gift; while on the other hand, you are being faithful or loving the gift (your work/ job) more than the Giver.
An extreme point is that we thought being “busy” is a good indication that we are productive and faithful workers. Most of the time, it only leads to anxieties, heavy burdens, and to be easily burnt out (Read Psalm 127:1-2).
Truly, work is an act of worship, but it is not an object of worship. When we put work as our priority than anything and even between you and God, then it becomes an idol. Jesus calls us to “seek Him first and His kingdom” (Matt. 6:33).
Moreover, resting is an act of worship. To rest is to depend upon God’s strong power. We sleep because we know God is still in control hence, we depend on Him. This thought is indeed the purpose of the Sabbath day. A day of rest; a day of worship; a day where we recognize His glorious sovereignty over our lives, works, families, and everything.
Ultimately, Jesus is our rest (Heb. 4:9-11; Ps. 62:1), our good shepherd (Ps. 23; Jn. 10:11-18). He is gentle and lowly in heart (Matt. 11:29-30). Such a wonderful reminder.
Read more about Biblical Rest, “Made to Rest.”
Recommended Reading/s:
Foster, Richard J. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. 1978; repr., New York: HarperCollins, 1998.
Newport, Cal. Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World. New York: Grand Central Publishing, 2016.
John&Paul's Reflections 