By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Genesis 2:2 

I used to think rest was something you earn or save up for, like a vacation. Something I could indulge in when all my work was done. But I quickly realized work is never done. There’s always one more task to cross off my to do list before I can take a break.

This is not how God created us to live. We are invited to work alongside him, and to run the race with endurance, but never in our own strength – mental or physical – and never without rest. But what does this look like?

God demonstrated a pattern for us through his creation of the world – a sabbath one day of the week. He expanded on this vision when he gave the Israelites a pattern to follow in their farming work. He commanded that every seventh year, the Israelites should rest the land – no sowing, pruning, or reaping (see Leviticus 25:3-5). When we dig in, we see this is about so more than physical rest for the land and themselves. While that’s important, that’s not all God had for them.

For a farming nation, not farming would be unheard of. Totally not-normal. But that’s the point. God promised them a bountiful harvest in the 6^th year that would sustain them through the seventh. By not farming in the7^th year, the Israelites demonstrated their trust in God’s provision. They proved they believed God would do what he said he would do. God gave them an opportunity to trust him, rest their bodies, rest the land, and rest their minds.

What a gift! They had the chance to reorient their thoughts from the hustle of their work to the power and provision of God. They had a whole year to reflect on all God had done for them, all he was doing through them, and all he had still promised to do. They were able to remember that God is Lord over creation and their lives. Their survival was not a burden they had to bear alone. It was in God’s hands.

What a beautiful pattern for us. While we aren't commanded to quit our jobs every seven years, we can routinely put down our work because God is always working. We can stop living like it all depends on us and depend on the Lord. We can routinely rest in the Lord’s strength, power, provision, and promises. We can stop believing the lie that everything hinges on our hustle, strategy, goal setting and brainstorming.

When God tells us to rest, he’s not just giving us the chance to let our physical bodies recover or zone out with Netflix. He’s inviting us to rest our minds and remember he’s got it figured out. He guides our steps. He opens doors. He is all powerful. He is sovereign. His timing is perfect. He is God almighty.

Questions for Reflection:

In what area of your life do you need to habitually rest your mind and trust in God?

How does knowing God wants you to depend on him give you hope?