The Paradox of Rest

Brian Sooy • March 4, 2022

The Bible is full of the paradox of rest and restlessness.

We get an extra day and a long weekend, only to fill our days we should rest with activity, so we return to work tired.

The psalmist asks more than once,

“Why are you discouraged, my soul?
Why are you so restless?
Put your hope in God,
because I will still praise him.
He is my Savior and my God.”

King David, Psalm 43:5, GOD'S WORD Translation

The raging wind and storm can be the hectic schedules and pressure we face every day at work. While we may not fly away, we can seek daily and weekly rest to find shelter and refuge in God through times of stillness, reflection, and quiet.

"Have you ever noticed that Jesus asked a lot of questions?

In many of his interactions, he responded to questions with a question.

Questions do two things. First, questions compel us to slow down:

By asking questions, Jesus showed us the value of restfulness. 

  • Slowing down makes time for relationships (With God and with others), 
  • Slowing down creates opportunities to speak truth into your colleague’s lives,
  • Slowing down creates margin to receive truth from your colleagues, and 
  • Slowing down builds the capacity to love those around you.

How will you practice restfulness in the midst of a restless life?

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