Finding Rest

READ: EXODUS 20:8-11; LUKE 5:16; 10:38-42; HEBREWS 4:1-11

“I’m so stressed! I have volleyball practice for two hours after school, homework in every class, and I have to study for my test tomorrow. I won’t get to bed until after midnight!”

We live in a fast-paced world, and we’re asked to make a lot of decisions in the few short years of our teen lives. We’re suddenly expected to be mature and adult-like, even if we aren’t ready, and it seems like every choice has a ripple effect into the future. We have to juggle school, extracurriculars, friends, family—how could we have time to rest? We need to build a resume! To succeed!

While those things are important, Jesus has a different message. He faced a similarly busy world, but when the chaos and to-do lists closed in around Him, He “often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer” (Luke 5:16). Sometimes He left early in the morning or went out alone to a mountainside (Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12-13). This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Remember that, after God created the universe, He rested, later giving instructions to His people to set apart a day every week to rest and take a break from our work.

If God takes a day of rest, this shows how important it is for us to rest as well!

No matter how busy our lives might be or how long our to-do lists are, we can take time to rest. This might look like reading a Bible passage, taking a few minutes to pray, being still for a while outside, or doing any number of things that are restful or fun. It’s also important to set aside a day to completely take a break and connect with God and our church family.

We might feel less productive, but this rest Jesus calls us to is actually the key to finding renewed energy to face the rest of the day or week. And the reason we can rest is because Jesus has already done everything that was needed to save us—we are held securely in His love no matter what we do or don’t accomplish. • Abby Ciona

• Can you think of a time you felt overwhelmed by your schedule, your to-do list, or an endless pursuit of perfection? According to Ephesians 2:8-10, why can we rest regardless of circumstances?

• In Luke 10:38-42, what does Jesus say to Martha about priorities and worries? What might it look like to find rest in Jesus amidst the busyness of life? What’s one thing you could try this week?

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NLT)