Genesis 2:3 (NLT) says:”And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when He rested from all His work of creation.”
This verse is a powerful reminder of the importance of rest. If God Himself blessed the act of resting and declared it holy, then constantly overworking is not in alignment with His will for our lives. We often get caught up in the busyness of life, work, and endless commitments, thinking we are being productive, yet failing to honour the rhythm of rest that God has established for us.
I was recently sharing with a Man of God (MOG) about how overwhelming my week usually is, running from Monday to Monday without a break. And here I am today, on another Monday, feeling completely burned out. Before it gets worse, I’m seriously considering letting go of certain commitments during the week to have intentional days of rest. As a business owner, I’ve already made it a point to avoid consultations or training on weekends. If someone insists on me working on a weekend, I know that job isn’t meant for me. I simply cannot accept it.
Yesterday, during service, our Bishop gave a beautiful illustration about yielding to the will of God. He took out a note (money) and initially asked a group of people to jump to the right or left based on his instructions, which they followed. Then he stood on the left side while the money was on the right and asked people to choose between yielding to God’s will or pursuing worldly things like money. This really made me think: it is clearly God’s will for us to rest—He has blessed and sanctified rest. Yet, how often do we give in to the temptation of a good business deal or the promise of extra income instead of yielding to God’s call to rest?
Ask yourself: Why would someone want you to work when you should be resting? If you pause and reflect on this, you will realise that rest is far more valuable than money. The person asking you to work on a Sunday does not respect your need for rest, and if you agree to work, it shows that you value money more than the rest God has commanded, blessed, and honoured for you. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:24 (NLT), “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Also, Exodus 20:8-10 reminds us:”Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God.”
Let us be wise and honour the day of rest, where we pause and acknowledge God’s goodness. This is the day to rest, pray, praise, and worship Him as He has commanded us. I was recently telling someone about how I refused to buy insurance from someone who set up a stall in the mall on a Sunday. They had paid for that space on a day God commanded us to rest. Let’s not only prioritise our own rest but also support others in taking their day of rest as God has instructed.
Let us trust God with our time. Honour the day of rest, and in doing so, you honour God’s design and trust Him to provide, even when you’re not working. Have a blessed day and a peaceful, rest-filled week ahead.