Resting in a Busy World

Person on busy street

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.”

MATTHEW 11:28-29

So often, the world feels frantic. We wake to the sound of urgent alarms and rush from one activity to the next.

Interrupting our busy schedules can feel unthinkable—we worry we’ll fall behind. The world screams at us to buckle down, to grind, to work even harder.

But Scripture encourages us to pause and turn to God instead.

In a world that moves at such an unsustainable pace, how do we find time to rest?

Find your why.

God created us for purposeful work. But there’s a difference between doing meaningful work and letting that work become our identity. The second we cross the line, we’re caught in a vicious cycle.

Taking time to rest is the extreme opposite of what the world asks of us.

But, it’s something God consistently instructs us to do throughout the Bible.

From the very beginning, God modeled rest, and He commanded us to make rest part of our weekly rhythm.

Maybe you recognize you need to rest because you notice something in your life is becoming more important than God. Maybe it’s to prioritize your mental health. Maybe you’re simply exhausted.

Whatever it is, find a clear vision for why rest matters to you.

Schedule it on your calendar.

Time is one of our most valuable resources.

If we don’t schedule rest in advance, chances are something else will consume that resource.

One of the simplest ways to find rest is by planning when you’re going to do it. Try scheduling it on your calendar, and consider communicating the times to your family and friends.

Whether it’s 20 minutes or 24 hours, rest gives you room to appreciate and experience the things God created you to do.

Give yourself something to look forward to.

When you step back and slow down to draw closer to God, it’s likely going to feel uncomfortable or unsettling.

That probably means you’re doing it right.

When we rest, the temptation to fall into busyness becomes even greater. But true rest doesn’t always look like doing nothing.

When you schedule time to rest, plan to do something that brings you joy or peace.

This could include spending time appreciating God’s creation or cultivating a hobby God wired you to be passionate about.

Don’t do it alone.

God created us for community. We’re wired for relationships. And, those relationships can be one of the most tangible ways we experience God’s presence.

Finding a rhythm of rest isn’t something you have to do alone. Think about ways you can rest alongside your family or friends.

Resting together will help you to stay accountable when the world tries to pull you into work and activity.

Be relentless.

Practicing rest is a spiritual discipline. And, like any discipline, resting requires determination and self control.

When we choose not to rely on our own effort and let Jesus take over, we surrender our shame, striving, and expectations. In return, we experience God’s perfect peace.

Rest helps us enjoy God’s presence and realign our priorities.

Rest allows us to trust that God is working even when we aren’t.

Rest is how we trust our Savior enough to say “enough.”

Want to pause in God’s presence right now?

Open Guided Prayer

FacebookShare on Facebook

TwitterShare on Twitter

EmailShare via Email

Community Highlights

Chris

WHAT YOU’RE SAYING

“My reading disability has always affected me…”

CHRIS, UNITED STATES

For years, when it came to reading the Bible, I was limited to a surface-level understanding.

But when I started using the OpenDyslexic font in YouVersion and listening to Audio Bibles, my experience completely changed. I could finally fully encounter God through His Word.

My reading disability has been a source of shame, but having YouVersion care about my needs helps me feel supported and known.


P.S. To listen to Audio Bibles, open your favorite Bible version in the app and tap the speaker icon at the top of your screen.


FEATURE YOU’RE LOVING

Prayer Reminders

We can all use a reminder every once in a while that we can talk to God about anything.

To set up Prayer Reminders, go to your Push Notification Settings in YouVersion, and tap “Remind me to pray.”

Get Started


BIBLE HABITS YOU’RE BUILDING

In the last month, our Community has completed over 69,000,000 Plan Days.

That’s equivalent to the entire population of the United Kingdom reading a Plan Day.

Start a Plan

With Plans, you’re growing closer to God every day, alongside a diverse, global Community. That’s something to celebrate!


FacebookShare on Facebook

TwitterShare on Twitter

EmailShare via Email

What Are You Praying For?

Person praying

If something in your life is big enough to worry about, it’s big enough to pray about.

Not sure where to start? Choose one of these customizable prayers to add to your YouVersion Prayer List.


I’m worried about…

God, when I think about ______ I feel ______. Help me to fix my eyes on you when things feel out of my control. Remind me that you won’t give up on me because You care about me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Create Prayer >


I’m hoping for…

God, You understand my deepest wants and needs. Help me to surrender my expectations about ______. As I pursue Your plans, help me to remember that you’ve already helped me with ______. Show me how to live a life worthy of the calling You’ve given me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Create Prayer >


My relationship with…

God, I surrender my relationship with ______ to you. Guide us as we navigate this season. Help me see where I’m ______ and ______ so that I can surrender those things to You and replace those traits with Your selfless love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Create Prayer >


P.S. After you create a Prayer, be sure to tap Share with Friends so they can pray for you!


FacebookShare on Facebook

TwitterShare on Twitter

EmailShare via Email

Here’s Something Worth Celebrating

Person celebrating

The results are in…

This year, over 900,000 members of our global Community earned the 2022 Mid-Year Challenge Badge, completing over 5,000,000 Plans.

Mid-Year Challenge Badge

Stats are meaningful, but what matters more is the story behind them. Those numbers represent people, all over the world, growing closer to God.

Now’s the time to keep building your Bible habit, even if you didn’t complete the Challenge.

Check out these 3 features:

Verse of the Day Stories

Stories

Discover daily devotional content from spiritual leaders you know and love.

View Today’s Story >


Earn More Badges

Badges

Motivate yourself by setting these achievable goals … and taking them on one by one. Open the app, create an account, and tap “More” to get started.


Find Your Next Plan

Plans

Explore what the Bible has to say about everything from anxiety to finance with these daily devotionals.

Browse Plans >


FacebookShare on Facebook

TwitterShare on Twitter

EmailShare via Email

What is Lent? 4 Different Ways to Practice

Mountain sunrise

Pause for a moment and look outside. What do you see? What makes you smile?

Whatever you just described, think about this: what you saw was always there — it was just waiting for you to pause and notice it.

That’s the basic purpose of Lent: to create space in the middle of life’s responsibilities to appreciate what’s always been there: God’s presence.

“…You are worried and troubled over so many things, but just one is needed. Mary has chosen the right thing, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:41-42

What is Lent?

Lent is a 40-day period of making space for God leading up to Resurrection Sunday. Based on Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness, Lent is an important tool that can help you stay attuned to God’s voice as you reflect on His sacrificial love.

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

Psalm 46:10

While Lent does include personal sacrifice, the goal of this time isn’t to “better” your life, but to center your life on what matters most: the One who made you and died for you.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

Lent begins today. However you choose to practice it, we hope you’ll spend the next 40 days creating space in your soul to reflect on Jesus’ sacrificial suffering and the power of His resurrection.

Together, let’s make space for what matters.

4 Ways to Focus on God During Lent

1. Memorize the Verse of the Day

Our outlook on life changes when we get God’s Word inside of us. If you’ve always wanted to memorize Scripture but were never sure where to start, commit to memorizing the Verse of the Day for 40 days!

If you start today, you’ll know 40 passages by Resurrection Sunday, and you’ll be well on your way to establishing a lifelong habit.

View Verse of the Day

2. Try Guided Prayer

Prayer is simply an honest conversation between you and God. And, it’s a great discipline to begin during Lent. Becoming a person who prays confidently may take some practice, but you can get started by committing at least 10 minutes a day to prayer.

When you want to talk with God but you don’t know what to say, Guided Prayer can help you get started.

View Guided Prayer

3. Start a Lent Plan

One of the best ways to draw closer to God is by spending time in His Word. If you’re not sure where to start, pick a Lent Plan and complete one Plan day, every day, for all 40 days of Lent.

To get the most from your Plan, set up daily reminders in Plan settings. Then, invite a few trusted friends to join you and reflect together on what God is doing in your lives.

View Lent Plans

4. Practice Generosity

God modeled what generosity looks like when He sacrificed His greatest treasure for us. During the next 40 days, draw near to God through generosity.

There are lots of meaningful ways you can give financially to what God is doing throughout the world. Take a moment and ask God to show you how you can bless those around you.

Learn More About Generosity