The Way of Love in a World of Hurt: A 5-Day Reading PlanSample

Day 3: Rest and Refresh How often do you take the time to rest? In our fast-paced culture, we are often focused on to-do lists and keeping up with others, worried that if we slow down, we’ll fall behind. However, people need rest. God knew this and even built it into His creation by giving us the Sabbath. With so many things competing for our attention, we must take the time to rest and refresh our bodies and minds. Even when we think we’re resting, our minds are often so busy that we don’t get the much-needed break. Have you gone on vacation only to return home and feel like you need a vacation? The rest God desires for us is more than an occasional weeklong trip. To know Him better and serve others well, we need rest. Unfortunately, many of us don’t take the time to slow down until illness or injury forces us to. But Jesus said, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). He doesn’t want us to wait until we’re forced to rest. He wants us to consistently come to Him for refreshing. The psalmist David wrote, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul” (Ps. 23:2–3). What a beautiful picture of Jesus’ care for us when we are weary! Consider: Do the others' demands and those of your schedule feel more urgent than rest? Try to intentionally plan out time free from distractions when you can rest and refresh. Have a journal nearby, or spend time doing something you enjoy that is not connected to a to-do list. Reflect: How do you prioritize rest in your life, and what steps can you take to ensure intentional moments of rest and refreshment in the midst of a busy schedule? Prayer: Lord, amid life's demands, I acknowledge the importance of rest. Teach me to prioritize the Sabbath rest You designed for us. Grant me the discipline to slow down, find solace in Your presence, and experience true refreshment that only comes from resting in You. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.