Rest is not a luxury. It’s a necessity.
Somewhere along the way, we started treating exhaustion like a badge of honor. If we’re not working, striving, and pushing ourselves to the limit, we feel guilty—like we’re somehow being unfaithful.
Believe me, I know. Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.
But the Bible tells a different story.
Rest isn’t laziness. At least not when done in moderation.
God Designed Us to Rest
From the very beginning, rest was built into the rhythm of creation. Genesis 2:2-3 says:
“And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”
Think about that. God rested. Not because He was tired, but because He was setting a pattern for us to follow. If the Creator of the universe made time to rest, how much more should we?
Jesus Modeled Rest
Jesus, in His earthly ministry, often withdrew from the crowds to rest and pray. Mark 6:31 records one such moment:
“And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.”
The disciples were busy. They were doing good, necessary work. But Jesus told them to stop and rest.
That should tell us something.
If rest was important enough for Jesus to command His disciples to take a break, it’s important enough for us, too.
Ignoring Rest Comes at a Cost
When we ignore rest, we pay for it. Our bodies wear down. Our minds grow weary. Our spiritual lives suffer. And let’s be honest—when we’re running on empty, we’re not much good to anyone.
Psalm 127:2 puts it plainly:
“It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.”
God isn’t impressed with burnout. He doesn’t need us running ourselves into the ground. He calls us to work and to rest.
If you’ll permit a personal angle on this… I once heard it said that work is never done on a farm. There is always more to do. The same is true for ministry. And in ministry, it’s easy to be a Martha. Difficult to be a Mary. It’s also easy to feel guilty for taking time to rest under the “vine and fig tree” (to steal a phrase from Micah), especially when there’s so much work to be done. But…
I’m no good to anyone if I don’t take time to rest. That’s what Jane keeps telling me anyway :-).
Rest can come in different forms. Obviously, sleep is one form, and a crucial one. Reading can be restful. (For me, writing is restful – at least sometimes 🙂 ). Hobbies can be restful. Spending time with loved ones can be restful. Sitting and doing nothing is definitely an important part of rest. The brain needs rest.
We need rest. If we don’t rest, it hurts us. It can also hurt those around us.
So What Does This Mean for Us?
- Stop feeling guilty for resting. You are not disobeying God by taking a break—you are honoring how He designed you.
- Recognize that rest makes you more effective. You serve better, love better, and think more clearly when you’re rested.
- Make rest a priority, not an afterthought. Whether it’s a Sabbath, vacation, or just an evening to recharge—take it.
God gives rest as a gift. Let’s not refuse it.
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