“Then, because so many people were coming and going
that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them,
‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’”
– Mark 6:31 (NIV)
Daily Meditation: Exodus 33:12-22, Hebrews 4
Being a hard worker is an essential quality that is addressed and commended throughout scripture. God makes it clear that he doesn’t tolerate laziness, and he rewards those who work hard. Proverbs 12:24 (NIV) says, “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.”
But in addition to hard work, God also values taking time to rest in order to remain emotionally, physically, and spiritually healthy. When God created the earth, he took the seventh day to rest. Genesis 2:2-3 (NIV) says, “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”
If God took time to rest, why shouldn’t we? We are frequently hard on ourselves and do not give ourselves enough credit for all we have accomplished. Constant busyness can be harmful to our walk with God and to our personal relationships. Taking time to rest and spend time with God is essential and necessary to our spiritual development. Taking time to rest is not a form of weakness; it is a sign of strength and maturity.
“Rest time is not waste time. It is economy to gather fresh strength…
It is wisdom to take occasional furlough.
In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less.”
– Charles Spurgeon
Working hard and also taking time to rest are two key components of developing spiritual maturity. It is vital that we take time out of our busy schedules to rest and regain strength for the journey ahead. Rest is good for our heart and should not be something we look down upon. Rest is for the strong.
Let’s let 2019 be the year we grow closer to the Lord and become the fearless, strong, and faithful woman we are meant to be in Him! In Be Fearless, Julie Clinton provides a scripturally-sound guide for finding freedom, purpose, joy… and fearlessness. Be Fearless is now available in our store! https://www.aacc.net/product/be-fearless/ Consider working through Be Fearless with another extraordinary woman or group this year!
Julie Clinton, MAd, MBA, is president of Extraordinary Women and host of EWomen conferences all across America. She is the author of several books including A Woman’s Path to Emotional Freedom, 10 Things You Aren’t Telling Him, and Extraordinary Women. She is passionate about seeing women live out their dreams by finding their freedom in Christ. Julie and her husband, Tim, live in Virginia with their children, Megan and Zach.