Why Resting in God is the Most Productive Thing You’ll Do All Day

As I brushed the last coat of top coat onto my bath tray, I thought about how I couldn’t wait to relax in the tub with just my thoughts and a cup of coffee.

Rest has always been a hard concept for me.  I used to look at rest as a way to indulge.  By working hard, I believed you earned the right to rest.

And while there is an important relationship between work and rest, they are each essential in and of themselves.

God created the Earth and made a point to rest on the 7^th day.  God is the one being in the universe (and outside) that does not need rest but He still prioritized it. 

And I believe God calls us, not only to create time for rest, but to rest in Him while we work.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-29

So often, I have a myopic focus on getting tasks down and checking them off a to do list.   Before long, I get little dopamine hits from a sense of blind accomplishment and soon lose sight of what’s most important.

God has pointed out the benefit of working at a slower pace so I can be intentional about doing the RIGHT tasks that make the biggest difference toward what matters.

The term “stay with yourself” has become popular lately and for me it means “to move at a pace where I have time to consider and pray about the thoughts that go through my head. 

It’s an intentional shift in being present in time instead of feeling my body is always leaning forward into the future.

“A leisurely pace accomplishes more than a hurried pace. When you rush, you forget Who you are and Whose you are.  You are royalty in His kingdom.”  Sarah Young

1 Peter 2:9 tells us, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”

I don’t know about you but my to-do list changes quite a bit when I rememember I am a chosen woman of God.

We can find freedom by remember we serve not to gain His approval but in response to His approval.

When we rush, we forget what’s important and are less in touch with what truly matters.

When we find ourselves rushing, it’s important to ask ourselves what really counts.

“I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but not everything is constructive.” 1 Corinthians 10:23

What are the things in life worth putting time towards?

Do you want to accomplish things or do you want to hear “well done good and faithful servant” one day?

Sometimes its less about the “what” and more about the “why”.

Even man-made rules about how to live the Christian life can enslave people when the focus is on their performance rather than on God.

“Be Still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Realize that you were not put on this earth to accomplish tasks on a list.  You were put here to better know Him. 

There’s not a pot of gold at the end of your to-do list. 

You have the gold already – His presence.

Don’t chase peace when He offers it to us freely.

There is nothing more frustrating in life than trying to attain something we already have access to.

Be still and know.  Don’t lean too forward into tomorrow.  Trust Him that He will show you what is most important for today.

Your part is to yield to God’s creative work in you, neither resisting it or trying to speed it up. Simply walk alongside Him, enjoying His presence along the way

Enjoy the tempo of a God breathed life by letting Him set the pace.

It feels good to get things done, but the greatest reward is doing tasks with God in the process.

Hold God’s hand in child-like peace and the way will open up step by step.

Practical Tips for Resting in God:

1.  Do your quiet time toward the beginning of the day.  This helps me to have the right mindset for what’s most important for that day.
2. The Big Three –  Each day, write down your three most important tasks, but as you write them, remember Who You are – a member of God’s royal priesthood.  This will help you to align your tasks with your goals and what’s truly important to you.  Seek to accomplish those three tasks first in the day.
3. As a detail-oriented person, I get overwhelmed easily.  When I feel that internal angst of overwhelm, I tell myself, “break it up!” 

Break up larger tasks into smaller steps, and those steps become much more manageable. 

There is NO shame in taking smaller steps and you’ll get to the same destination with more confidence and enjoyment while using less energy.

Most of my projects include a corresponding devotional. For more spiritual encouragement, click here for the rest of my project posts that also include Renovate Your Faith devotionals. Click here for the rest of my devotional posts.

I love to hear your thoughts and questions!  Scroll down to leave a comment and I WILL reply! ❤️

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

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