Wise Father, who understands our frame for you created it, teach us the balance of work and rest, and let us neglect neither of them, that we would be energized by times of real refreshment and prosperous in the work you have given us to do, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who labored here on Earth and ascended to you and the Holy Spirit. Amen. ‘I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God; you shall not do any work–you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it.’ – Exodus 20:2, 8-11 What is your favored way of avoiding rest? Do you simply overwork? Do you fill your vacant time with unrestful things? What would it look like to truly find refreshment in the space you have? Do you need to ask God for more space? For boundaries within that space? To be able to stay present to the Lord as you are seeking rest?
Matthew R Green
PhD