Read: Hebrews 4:8-13 NRSV
For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not speak later about another day. So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; for those who enter God’s rest also cease from their labours as God did from his. Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience as theirs.
Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.
So what is it that makes rest so necessary? We’ve discovered that rest is both the destination and a necessary step towards arrival, but why is rest important?
As humans, we need to be intentional with our focus or it naturally starts to drift towards ourselves. God recognizes that our sinful nature is always pulling at our attention, trying to subtly and imperceptibly replace Him with idols. It’s rare that a believer will suddenly turn from Jekyll to Hyde or from good to evil overnight. Instead, we start to grow lax in our disciplines. We engage in a bit of harmless gossip, we let our eyes linger a half second too long, we stretch the truth, and a thousand other small acts until God has been forced out of the picture to make room for our own justifications for sin. Rest, then, is just as much about resetting our focus back to God as it is allowing our body and spirit to heal and recharge. The image of God’s word as a sword, cutting through our self-delusions is a powerful one. When we make time for God, we’re able to reflect on our own actions and motives. Ignoring rest and reflection is a way of closing our eyes and covering our ears to Him.
With that being said, literal resting is just as important. What happens to you when you’re overtired, overworked, overanxious? I become snappy, rude, and impatient. It’s harder to produce the fruits of the spirit when you’re grouchy with your spouse or rude to your coworkers. As much as the Sabbath is for honoring God, it’s also a time for us to stop and get some perspective. Our relationship with God is a relationship, and like any human relationship, requires intentional days and times that you dedicate to one another without looking at your phone or answering work emails. It might feel a bit forced or procedural at times, but ultimately that’s how relationships survive and flourish.
Quality time with God, like quality time with our loved ones, is important, but perhaps we stop putting so much emphasis on quality time and more on quantity time. That seems counterintuitive, but let me explain. Yes, we should always try to make our time together “mean” something, or to be memorable in some way, but sometimes we take the quality time approach and interpret it as attending church on Easter and Christmas or only putting in an effort with our spouse on Valentine’s day or their birthday. Quantity time might not be as exciting or elaborate as those occasions, but relationships are built by the daily, consistent, and mundane more than the scattered and special occasion. If the only time I paid attention to my son was when I took him to the zoo or to Strong Museum, he might have a fun afternoon, but there wouldn’t be any relationship. God wants us to get into rhythm, to meet us in prayer each day and renew our spirits by the fellowship of other believers each week. Maybe we’re not always attending a revival in a foreign country, but we’ll be much better equipped to obey His will when we dedicate time to rest and reflect on His word.
