How important do you think it is to rest? Some say: “well I don’t have time to do that” “time is money” or even “I’m strong enough to keep going…” No rest for the wicked isn’t it? It’s not actually quite like that but some people seem to believe that rest is actually a reward that you should enjoy once in a while. Resting is actually something that God projected for us to do as part of our normal life. If He Himself the one who NEVER sleeps rested on the 7th day of creation(Genesis 2:2) why wouldn’t you enjoy this blessing that the Father Himself planned and projected for you? I’ll tell you a little bit about my experience with rest and serving God, a few years ago when I was still initiating my journey in Missions I used to say yes to EVERYTHING people used to ask me and I ended up working even on weekends. The first few months it was alright, but 9 months after that I was on my limit, I couldn’t focus on my work anymore and not even sit down to meditate and hear what God was sharing with me, I would hear Him trying to speak to me but I wouldn’t listen because of my level of tiredness. That was the moment I realised I needed to do something about it. And I solicited my days off because I needed a retreat for my mind, body and soul. It took me more than a week for me to be able to sit down with a bible in front of me and being able to actually meditate and being able to hear God’s voice. When I finally sat down and heard his voice after months what I heard was very strong, He shared with me that He wanted to send me to another location and that my Mission in that place was actually done and also that boundaries would be needed in my future. So when I went back to the other base I was at that time and started to plan my moving process with a different outlook on things, understanding that resting is essential and it could affect my relationship with God. Sadly I grew up in a background where people believe that Missionaries shouldn’t rest and just work… Unstoppably. So for me to get rid of this mindset and understand that YES! GOD THE FATHER RESTED, SO I CAN REST AS WELL! Took me a while, but I got it later on. Tiredness can really set us apart from Him because we can easily be distracted and not actually invest appropriate time in our relationship with God. So on this bank holiday just do one thing REST!!! Enjoy this blessing that was in God’s plans for us all. In Genesis 2:3 it says: “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.” In that passage, we can see how blessed rest actually is and on this bank holiday, I want to wish you all an amazing resting time… That you can feel refreshed for the next week that is starting!
With Every Blessing,
Caio Nascimento
