Finding Rest Without Having to Force Quit

The other day, my phone unknowingly fell out of my pocket at a friend’s house. It landed screen-down on the pavement, but thankfully a patch of snow kept it from any damage. (This may be the one time I appreciate the snow not melting.) When I realized my phone wouldn’t be with me for a couple hours, I felt more free to be present with those in front of me.

Later on that day, I opened my laptop to a new error message. My RAM was full, meaning I couldn’t continue my work without force quitting most applications. (This was a first…) When I lightened up my computer’s activity, I was able to accomplish what I intended to do.

I don’t know where you’re at today, friend. But unlike with my devices, I don’t want to live at such a fast pace that I absent-mindedly forget something. I don’t want to take on too much and have no choice but to “force quit” my commitments in order to rest. I want Jesus to bring me to still waters, but unlike the sheep in Psalm 23:2, I don’t want to have to be made to lie down. I want to know and enforce my limits in a healthy way, and willingly rest.

This season has been one of cutting back and making room for margin, including:

• cutting back on how many things I do during the week
• planning 1 mid-week evening of rest
• not saying “yes” to things right away
• not putting pressure on myself to do everything

And it’s been one of the best things I could have done. Not only because I have experienced true rest, but because during this time, God has been setting me up for what’s next. I never thought a season of rest could also serve as a place of preparation, but it can be some of the most productive and fulfilling time we have. 

When we see rest as a priority and not a luxury, we’re able to find joy in the slow. We’re able to remind ourselves of what is true and good (Philippians 4:8), filling and renewing our mind with God’s word instead of obsessing over our circumstances. We can see our value as children of God, not defined by the work we do (Genesis 1:27-31; Psalm 139:13-14). We can experience God’s perfect peace and hear from Him clearer. We cultivate grateful hearts for God’s provision and work in our lives, even in the small things.

What is one thing you can do this week to experience true rest in Christ? Share your thoughts in the comments!