The school holidays may have come to an end last week but it doesn’t mean our ability to find rest is over.  

God is not only the giver of life but he is also the one in whom we can find rest.  After he created the world, he declared his creation to be very good, and then he rested (Genesis 1:31-2:1-3).

Rest is an important part of life, but for some reason in our busyness, we often neglect to do it until we just can’t keep up the pace any longer.  God considered our need for rest to be so important that he dedicated a whole day in our week to it.   

But what does rest mean?  Is it obtained by staying in bed all day, or sitting in front of the television or can it also be gained through our activity? 

In the book of Matthew, Jesus invites all who are weary and burdened to come to him so he can give them rest (11:28).  The prophet Isaiah tells us when we wait upon the Lord he will renew our strength (40:31).

During the holidays I had the privilege of spending time in the beautiful Hawaiin Islands.  Although I was active every day I came home rested and refreshed. As I admired the breathtaking scenery I could not help but be drawn toward the creator of this beauty. 

God is not only found in the Bible but through the lives of Christians and in his creation. Psalm 19:1-4 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.  Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”

If you are in need of rest today, turn to God, for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his (Hebrews 4:10).  

Donna Newell, College Pastor