The Gift of Rest
Written by Lorie Summerlin
For much of my life, rest has been one of the hardest spiritual disciplines to practice. It wasn’t because I didn’t believe in it, or because I didn’t know what the Bible says about the Sabbath. It was because my life—and my personality—lean naturally toward busyness. There is always something to do: someone to visit, something to prepare for, a meeting to attend. On top of that, I genuinely enjoy being active and being around people. Sitting still, being alone, and reflecting quietly have never come easily for me. In many ways, rest felt unproductive, uncomfortable, and even unnecessary.
Because of that, taking a weekly Sabbath felt forced at first. I had to intentionally stop working, put boundaries around my time, and resist the urge to “do one more thing.” I didn’t enjoy it. I found myself restless, distracted, and tempted to fill the quiet with activity. But over time, something changed. As I consistently practiced resting one day a week, my actions began to shape my heart. Even though my feelings lagged behind at first, eventually they caught up. What once felt like a burden slowly became a gift. Now, I genuinely look forward to that day of rest.
Scripture shows us that this struggle is not unique. From the very beginning, God established rest as part of His design. Genesis 2:2–3 tells us that God rested on the seventh day and blessed it. God was not exhausted; He was setting a rhythm for His creation. For ministers especially, this reminds us that constant activity is not a virtue in itself. No one is winning an award for being the busiest! Faithfulness includes knowing when to stop. And when we don’t, we are being disobedient to the Lord.
Exodus 20:8–10 calls God’s people to rest regularly, not as an optional practice but as an act of obedience. For someone like me—who enjoys being busy—Sabbath rest confronts the belief that everything depends on my effort. Psalm 127:2 gently reminds us, “In vain you rise early and stay up late… for he grants sleep to those he loves.” Rest teaches us to trust God with what remains undone. While we rest, while we sleep, He provides for us.
Jesus modeled this rhythm in His own ministry. Despite overwhelming demands, He often withdrew to solitary places to pray (Luke 5:16). In Mark 6:31, Jesus invited His disciples, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a little while.” He knew that sustained ministry without rest would eventually drain them. Even Jesus, fully committed to His mission, prioritized stepping away from the crowds.
One of the most encouraging examples for me is Elijah. After a season of intense ministry, Elijah collapsed in exhaustion and despair (1 Kings 19:4). God’s response was not a lecture, but rest—sleep and nourishment—before offering guidance. It is a powerful reminder that weariness can cloud spiritual perspective, and that rest often prepares us to hear God clearly again.
Practicing Sabbath has taught me humility. Jesus’ words in John 15:5—“Apart from me you can do nothing”—become real when I stop working and let God carry the ministry for a day. Over time, rest has reshaped my desires, not just my schedule. What once felt uncomfortable now brings joy and renewal. In the end, rest is not about doing less — it’s about trusting more. The Sabbath is a life-giving discipline that sustains joy, protects the soul, and allows us to serve faithfully for the long haul (Isaiah 40:31).