God calls His people to rest. He builds it into the flow and rhythm of our lives. In the second chapter of Genesis, God gave His children an example by resting…though He did not need to rest. Then, in Exodus twenty, in the Ten Commandments, God calls us to Sabbath…a day of rest every seven days.
This command was given because we can forget that God can run the universe without us. When we rest, we declare that we trust God more than ourselves. Conversely, when we refuse to take a Sabbath, we declare to heaven and earth that we are stronger than God (Just think about it, He took a day off!). We also declare that God needs our labor seven days a week.
Just for the record, I am writing this blog as a reminder to myself as much as anyone else. I want to be healthy and in ministry for many more years. To do this, I need to follow God’s gracious call to rest. I hope and pray you will too.