153 . The Discipline of Rest — Aneel Aranha

Hello and welcome to The Hope Podcast. I'm Aneel Aranha. Today, we will talk about the often-neglected spiritual discipline of rest and its importance in our walk with God.

In our busy, achievement-oriented world, rest is often seen as unproductive or even lazy. However, rest is not just a physical necessity; it's a spiritual discipline that God Himself modeled and commanded.

Genesis tells us that after six days of creation, God rested on the seventh day and made it holy (Genesis 2:2-3). This wasn't because God was tired, but to establish a pattern for humanity. Later, rest became one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11), highlighting its significance.

Jesus, despite the urgency of His mission, often withdrew to quiet places to rest and pray (Luke 5:16). He invited His disciples to "come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest" (Mark 6:31). Rest wasn't a luxury, but a necessity for spiritual health and effective ministry.

Rest, in the biblical sense, is more than just physical relaxation. It's a ceasing from our own works to rely on God's. It's an act of trust, declaring that the world can go on without our constant effort because God is in control.

How can we practice this spiritual discipline of rest? Start by setting aside regular times for Sabbath rest. This doesn't have to be Saturday or Sunday, but a consistent time to cease from work and focus on God.

Practice being rather than doing. Spend time in God's presence without an agenda. As Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God." This stillness allows us to reconnect with our identity as beloved children of God, not just producers and achievers.

Incorporate restful practices into your daily routine. This could be a few minutes of silent prayer, a leisurely walk in nature, or simply sitting quietly with a cup of tea. These moments of pause can reorient us to God's presence throughout our day.

Remember, rest is not just for our benefit. When we're rested, we're better equipped to serve others and reflect God's love. Our ability to rest well can be a powerful witness in a stressed and anxious world.

Embracing rest as a spiritual discipline may feel counterintuitive at first. But as we learn to rest in God's presence and provision, we'll find a deeper peace and a renewed energy for the work He's called us to do.

God bless you.