by Zach Roll

Finding Real Rest in Christ.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link

In the time that we live in today resting, or taking some leisure time, is often frowned upon. Success is defined by working long hours, and doing everything you can to stay ahead and climb the ladder. Working hard today can often mean “never stop working,” because if you’re not working time is being wasted. While hard work is something to be highly valued, we have been lied to by our culture that efficiency is related to hours worked. In reality when we work too long, and hard, our work can become sloppy, and anything but efficient.

My wife and I took a vacation recently to Ohio, to visit her family, for Thanksgiving. While everybody was at work one day, my wife and I were to vacuum and shampoo this rug. As soon as we unrolled the rug my in-law’s dog, Brutus, saw an opportunity for some much needed rest (from resting inside), and took it right there.  Seeing Brutus lying in the middle of that rug got me thinking about our vacation here, how we are spending our time, and if we are truly enjoying this time of rest.

Rest is not something to be frowned upon. It is a gift from God. We are fallen humans, not God. We are incapable of working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. God gives us time to rest so that we may take a step back from our work, and our busy lives, to appreciate that work. Also, to give thanks to God for the work he has given us, and to rest in Him. Let us all thank God that he gives us the gift of rest, and that we can have a perfect, and peaceful, rest when we find it in Him.

“It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” Psalm 127:2 English Standard Version

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO