It’s easy for us to
get caught up in the 24/7 “busyness routine” that is the ‘normal’ for the world
we live in, where our schedules are jam-packed, & where our identities are
defined by DOING (our work, education, activities, recreation, etc.) … And even
when we’re not actively busy, our version of ‘rest’ is done at a hectic pace.
As I’ve been studying
for our “Entering God’s Rest” series, I keep going back to the first time
“REST” is mentioned in the Bible. It’s in Genesis
2:1-3, & it happens right after God has finished with the creation of
the earth & everything living in it. It says:
The
heavens & the earth were finished, & all the host of them. And on the
seventh day God finished His work that He had done, & He rested on the
seventh day from all His work that He had done. So God blessed the seventh day &
made it holy…
Makes me wonder: WHY
did God rest?
I don’t think that it
was because He was tired… rather, I believe God intentionally included REST as
a part of the creation process because
of His desire to establish REST as an integral part of the rhythm of life. Later,
in the Ten Commandments, God declared that His people would celebrate the
Sabbath, a.k.a. “holy time,” as a reminder of what He did & of our need for
ceasing from our labors (see Exodus 20:8-11).
Today we’re going to
explore Sabbath Rest & learn more of the WHY’s & HOW’s of entering the
rest that God intends for His people.
Blessings, grace, peace & REST to you -
