As an American, efficiency is a cultural norm and expectation. We want everything we do to be done as fast as possible and as well as possible. Sometimes we’ll give up quality to gain more quantity. To do nothing for an afternoon seems so unproductive and wasteful of time. Why would we waste time when that’s the one thing in our lives we never can get more of. In reality, no matter what we tell ourselves, each of us has less time left on this earth than the day before. That’s one way to look at it.
Recently, I’ve been exploring, thinking, and learning about the idea of REST. Growing up, I was thankful that my parents didn’t work on Sundays. We went to church and then enjoyed the rest of the day together…whether it be watching a football game, playing outside, or taking a nap, each of us had some restful time throughout the day. You better believe I appreciated going to church when I was young…. it meant I didn’t have to go outside and work on the farm!
I find it very interesting and challenging that God rests. The idea of rest is everywhere in Scripture…beginning with God resting on the 7th day of creation to Jesus taking time away from the crowds and disciples to rest in the presence of God.
So, why do we have the tendency to work ourselves to death with a philosophy of life of more, more, more and do, do, do? Since entering the working world and being out on my own, it’s been easy for me to avoid practicing the discipline of rest. I think there are several factors…and I’ll get to those in my next post, after I take the weekend to rest. 