Hebrews 4:11 (CEB)

11 Therefore, let’s make every effort to enter that rest so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience,


Reflection

As I write this devotional, I am watching the replay of the women’s olympic marathon. I actually saw it live last week but now I am seeing it all over again– geeking out while watching several distance races. I dig the idea of marathoners, who have the endurance and training to go and go. For me, there is something about the ultimate challenge of pushing oneself beyond typical human limitations. To go 26.2 miles without resting is real endurance.

Then I am reminded about how God rested. I read about the importance of Sabbath rest for all of God’s people. I know that God rested from God’s works and so must we all. Momentarily, I think, Well yeah, of course God rested. Afterall God created the world and all the universe. God must have been really tired.

As I pray on God’s commandment of sabbath, I realize that it is not because Almighty God was tired that God calls us to rest. God is God, the Alpha and the Omega and the One who can endurance it all! Not only does God call us to keep the sabbath rest to respect God’s ways, but God also wants us to rest to keep our human bodies holy and healthy. This is respecting God’s ways and the temple that is our bodies. Marathoners or not, we must learn to rest. There is holiness and health in our resting ways.

By Barbara Carlson


For Pondering & Prayer

Think of how our resting is both respect for God’s ways and self respect. There will be days when our endurance is tested. Name all of the ways that you can rest or even just pause to take share in the Sabbath rest. When you must find endurance, how do these ways help?

Prayer: Almighty God, you know my every need and how I must rest in you. Today, I am grateful for your reminders of how to rest in all forms. Teach me to know when to move forward, while taking care of my daily needs, and when to rest with you. Amen.