Person paddling a boat at sunset

So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

GENESIS 2:3

Rest — to relax, pause, breathe, and be at ease.

When was the last time you slowed down, unplugged, and relaxed? Rest is a gift we too easily push aside.

Busyness makes us feel like we’re accomplishing something, but it can be counterfeit. Without healthy boundaries, activity can be like a narcotic, numbing us to our need for intimacy with God: the Giver of every good and perfect gift.

The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.

PROVERBS 19:23

Life without rest isn’t sustainable. Rest refreshes us, giving us the energy we need to honor God and to love others. Practicing rest is a spiritual discipline that helps us enjoy God’s presence and realign our priorities.

He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.

PSALM 23:2-3a

Here are 3 ways you can incorporate rest into your daily life:

Practice Mindfulness

In Romans 12, Paul urges us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Practicing mindfulness can help us realign our hearts and minds to what God is doing. Where do you focus best? Nestled in your kitchen with a cup of coffee? Out for a run, listening to worship music? Find something that makes you feel close to God, and focus your mind on Him there before you start your day.

Challenge: Take 5-10 minutes each day and visualize every worry and responsibility, giving each one to Jesus in prayer. (If it helps you, write them down.)

Meditate on Scripture

All Scripture is inspired by God. When you read or listen to God’s Word, and you reflect on what it says, you learn to recognize God’s voice. Purposeful time in the Bible requires making it a priority to focus on just being with Jesus.

Challenge: Set aside 30 minutes a day to read or listen to God’s Word. During that time, snooze your calendar and notifications. Try a Plan, take notes, and journal your thoughts. Let God speak to you.

Be with Community

Intimacy with God doesn’t mean shutting yourself off from other people. In fact, sometimes it means making space for them. Rest is the perfect time to celebrate life with people you love. We’re not made to do life alone. We need each other.

Challenge: Invest at least a couple of hours each week with people you love. Don’t set an agenda. Just show up and enjoy one another’s company. Afterwards, write down anything God showed you during your time together.

These are just a few suggestions to help you start turning intimacy with God into a daily rhythm. Explore more ways to experience rest in one of the Plans below.

Read Plans on Rest

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