Unrushed

Do you find it hard to truly rest? When you try to rest, do you feel a nagging sense of urgency to keep checking things off your list, or to find ways to multitask while you “rest”? Am I the only one?

We just had a huge downpour of snow recently. I truly love watching the soft snowflakes dust the earth, but I dislike very much the havoc it brings; business closures, treacherous road conditions, being stuck in my house for days because my driveway is a giant sheet of ice. Whatever I had planned that week was put on hold by nature. Thankfully, I work from home so that part of my life was undisturbed. But as I sat at my desk working through the snowstorm, I felt the tug of Winter beckoning me to grab a hot cup of something and simply curl up in bed and enjoy a movie. It’s like there is a switch in my body that flips to cozy mode during super cold weather. Can you relate?

Lately, during winter I find myself contemplating the gift of rest. And snowy days in particular have a way of reminding me about the rhythms of nature. God knew rest was important for His creation from the beginning. Up until the invention of electricity, people had no choice but to take our cues from nature, ebbing and flowing with the seasons and the sun. But now, we can keep those light switches on and be productive around the clock if we choose to, much to our detriment.

The Blessing of Rest

“Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.” NASB

The Bible tells us in Genesis 2:3 that God rested after six days of creating our home, Earth. The Hebrew word used for rest here is šābat (shaw-bath). It means “to cease, desist, rest.”1 We know that God does not grow weary, nor does He slumber (Isaiah 40:28). But He did choose to “cease” from working for a day, perhaps simply to enjoy His creation. Do you give yourself permission to “šābat?” God gives you permission. In fact, He “blessed” it! 

While we may not be able to let nature dictate our agendas with its random snow days, can we be purposeful with planning our lives around a day of “šābat” each week like our Creator modeled for us? While we are not bound to any law to rest, how would doing so improve our quality of life? Our relationships? Our connection with God? Our attitude and outlook on life? Indeed, sometimes when we’re experiencing a poor outlook on life or spiritual drought, all we need is a little break from striving. There is refreshment that comes from resting in the Lord, enjoying the blessings that we already have, and celebrating what we have already accomplished. 

What steps can you take to implement a day of rest in your life-rhythm?

What can you do to give yourself permission to stop for one day a week and be unrushed?

What would a guilt-free day of little joys and refreshment look like for you?

Maybe a weekly day of rest is too much too soon. Perhaps start with once a month and work your way to weekly. When you’re feeling rushed to get things done, ask yourself, “If I put this off, what’s the worst that can happen?” If you're like me, most things I feel a pressing need to accomplish can, in fact, wait. Have a little patience with yourself, friend. God loves you so much. He doesn’t want you bound to the demands of this culture. You have control of that “switch”.

If you “šābat” once a week, I’d love for you to share your encouragement for others in the comments. 

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Scriptures for Contemplation

Isaiah 40:28

Psalm 121:4

1"H7673 - šāḇaṯ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv)," Blue Letter Bible, accessed January 20, 2025, https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h7673/kjv/wlc/0-1/.

If you would like to talk about what it looks like to add the idea of “šābat” into your life, schedule a conversation with Michelle Buchanan.

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