True Rest: More Than a Good Night's Sleep

Photo by Kinga Cichewicz on Unsplash

I love sleeping. Most days, I can nod off with ease and enjoy good chunks of deep and uninterrupted sleep. While stress may cause insomnia for some, my body reacts to pressure by shutting down. Sleep is my superpower, and yet over the years I have learned that no amount of shut eye is capable of curing the restlessness in my soul and heart.

The thing is, if I’m not sleeping, I’m busy. My calendar is bursting with deadlines and to-do’s. I say “yes” too quickly and too often. I struggle to be still, and to focus on one thing. In a culture that glorifies performance and output, busyness is addictive, and yet it makes for a terrible god because its demands are endless.

Why is it that my plate is so full, and yet I’m still wondering if I’m doing enough?

Why is it that I try so hard to be useful and helpful, and yet still feel like I’ll never be enough?

Despite living in such a prosperous country, why are so many of us trapped in workaholism because we feel like we’ll never have enough?

In the words of Dallas Willard, “hurry is the great enemy of the spiritual life”, so why is it such a pervasive part of the human condition, including professing Christians? At the recent OneLove women’s conference, Kara Martin challenged me to consider why I struggle with “hurry sickness” and why slowing down in isolation has caused me to feel uncomfortable, guilty and fearful.

I can identify 7 reasons for why this is so:

• My identity is shaped by my performance and competency.
• I’m afraid of being alone with my thoughts and feelings.
• I don’t fully trust that God will provide.
• I measure my worthiness by what I can do and how I can help.
• I’m afraid of being labelled as weak, useless, or lazy.
• I doubt the goodness of God’s timing and will for my life.
• I despise my limitations because instead of imaging Him, I want to be like God.
  
  

We all have our reasons for pursuing a hurried life, and OneLove reminded me that “true rest” is much more than a good night’s sleep. What Jesus promises in Matthew 11:28-29 is a deep and satisfying spiritual rest in Him. Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to come to Him, for He has the power to calm restless hearts and to satisfy our soul’s desire for hope, purpose, identity, satisfaction, confidence, acceptance and redemption.

In a year where my work plans have been uprooted and every earthly security challenged, I have found myself at the mercy of my Maker and relearning what it means to find true rest in Christ. With my schedules cleared of normal routines, I have been forced to redefine productivity and to see that time resting in Christ’s presence, is never a waste.

Here are 8 ways that coming to Christ has granted rest for my soul:
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• My worth and identity is defined by Christ’s righteousness, and not the labour or success of my own hands (2 Corinthians 5:21).
• I can acknowledge my limitations and surrender to the One who never grows tired or weary (Isaiah 40:28).
• I can “pour out my heart” in prayer, trusting that God is an unshakeable refuge who is quick to listen and powerful to act (Psalm 62:8).
• I can confess my flaws and failures, and draw comfort from God’s unfailing love and compassions (Psalm 51).
• There is “no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus”. In Christ, I am forgiven and reconciled to my Father and Judge (Romans 8:1-2).
• Even if I don’t see immediate results, I can trust that my labour for the Lord is never in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).
• There is a Judge who sees all, and there will be a day when perfect justice will rule (Psalm 50:6).
• No matter my earthly circumstances, Christ has saved me into an eternal hope without death, tears or goodbyes (Revelation 21:4).
  
  

Does your soul feel weary and burdened?

Take a moment to pause and to hear Christ’s invitation:

“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.” – Matthew 11:28-29

Originally published by Heidi Tai on August 27, 2020. Republished with permission.

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Free Devotionals on True Rest!
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OneLove speaker, Kara Martin and Heidi Tai have written a FREE devotional series on the topic of finding true rest. You can download the devotionals from the OneLove website or the KCC One App.