The Rest of the Year

In November, my husband and some of our wonderful friends finished up the beautiful deck I am currently enjoying. Complete with a sturdy roof, it's the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors year-round. Just inside our back door is our youngest, lying at the threshold, playing with one of his new Christmas gifts, and watching me through the glass. My husband is in front of the TV railing against the actions of his favorite local football team. This is what we call rest, and we all do it in different ways. I can't say my husband's method is restful --in fact, it's not for me, so I gave it up a long time ago. Our youngest wouldn't find my choice restful at all --writing is one of his "least desired" tasks, according to his teachers. But rest is very important, so important, in fact, God commanded it for His people, people for whom He's been demonstrating its importance since Creation. 

Over Christmas, we spent a few days with our daughter's family. Our entire household was just recovering from a cold so relentless, we were on our third week of it when the time came for us to pack up. Thankfully, our visit was filled with opportunities to rest. The children occupied themselves by playing happily together from morning to night. The adults were content to do a bit of cooking, lots of eating, and just spend some time together. When we returned home, our energy levels had returned and only an infernal cough continued to plague my husband. Resting our body is important.

We spent the last days of 2023 with our other family. We exchanged gifts, laughed, ate, chased after children, refereed disputes over hide-n-seek, recalled Christmases past and those who were with us then, worshipped with our beloved church family, stowed leftovers and washed dishes, and turned our thoughts toward the coming year. So much activity, but every bit of it left us feeling refreshed and renewed, close and cared for. As legs wearied from the carrying and climbing and bellies ached with all of the laughter, as red-faced children panted exhaustedly before us, begging for the next snack or regaling us with the story of their newly discovered "perfect" hiding spot, as wrapping and bows were cleaned up and crumbs vacuumed, a certain sort of rest settled deep within us, the rest that comes as we gather with those we love. Rest takes place in our hearts as well.

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says to those who struggle and carry great burdens, Come to Me, ...and I will give you rest. He doesn't say we will cease to be burdened by or struggle with the things this world throws at us (in fact, He says this world will give us trouble), but He encourages us to submit to His discipline and learn from Him. Then, He says, you will find rest for your souls. When we surrender to His plan via His precepts for His glory, the pain we are called to endure, the rivers we are called to cross, the mountains we are called to climb, the fires we are called to go through --whatever it is we are given to do becomes a light affliction, an easy yoke, and rest for our souls. Our souls long for rest.

We are not singular beings: we have physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Those needs must be addressed, met, and given opportunity to experience quiet and rest. We need to take a break from our achieving and running to allow our bodies to refuel and recalibrate in the same way we are meticulous about charging our devices or maintaining our vehicles. We need to be surrounded by the love and laughter of our people as much as we need to be clothed and housed.  We need to address the poverty and darkness of our souls by flooding them with the mercies and light of Jesus Christ. Our society does not value rest. I believe it shows in our mental health, our physical well-being, societal stability, and our spiritual worldview (or lack thereof). But as we --individuals, children of God --choose to follow Jesus into His work and find our rest in Him, we can lead others, our children, our neighbors, our nation into season after season of much-needed, clearly mandated rest. I encourage you to make this year a year of discovering and experiencing the rest your being requires.