This past year, I have made significant changes due to being depleted in almost every area of my life.

I was permanently exhausted, constantly in pain, lacking motivation, and focus, and unable to be the person I wanted to be in the areas that matter most in life. It’s a story I hear time and time again when I talk to people about rest. Why are so many of us living like this, totally burnt out, with almost nothing left to give, convinced it’s for Jesus, while we aren’t actually living the way he did? We aren’t modelling our lives after him.

I don’t necessarily have the answers, but I truly believe that living and working for Jesus means we need to model our lives on his. Jesus did not live a life devoid of rest. Jesus didn’t live his life rushing from one thing to the next, never taking time to rest and recover. Jesus modelled a life that included rest, solitude, time with God, and time spent in prayer. He modelled a life taking time away from distractions to truly listen to what God needed to say to him. He showed his disciples compassion and directed them to rest in a quiet place. (Mark 6:31)

Sometimes, it is easier for me to run around doing all the things, to achieve and work, than to rest, stop, and take a breath. Intentionally resting and making time in my schedule requires discipline. Still, more than that, it means I need to stop trying to control everything. There is an arrogance to the thought that if I dare to take time out, the world will fall apart. Taking time out for rest forces me to confront the question, do I really trust that God is in control of all things?, or do I deep down believe that the I need to tightly hold control?.

Can we really be living for him if we aren’t living like him? We find one of the most famous passages in the bible on rest in Matthew 11:28-30. Probably the most quoted verse is verse 28

Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

My favourite verse is verse 29, which gets to the heart of this question.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 

A yoke is a wooden bar used to join two draft animals, such as oxen, to work together to pull a load. When I read this verse, it speaks of partnership with Jesus, learning from him, walking, and working with him. It’s when we live our lives in that context that rest comes.

The more I study rest, and study the bible, the more convinced I am that we can’t live for him if we are not living like him. Jesus repeatedly modelled the way to live, including intentional rest, and solitude. He shows us the way; it’s up to us to decide if we are brave enough to follow it wholeheartedly.

Article supplied with thanks to Lorrene McClymont.

About the Author: Lorrene McClymont is a writer and photographer from Hope Images. On her blog ‘Moments to Rest’, she shares about rest, faith, and family.

Feature image: Canva