A very dear friend of mine, a sister in Christ and mentor, whom I can always count on to help me walk in grace and truth, one who I trust with all my flaws (and dreams alike) sent me a gentle reminder this week. It was this…

I know that I have written about this before, but because it’s come up in a few ways this week, perhaps it’s time to talk about it again.

In a world where being busy is often worn like a badge of honor, the idea of rest can seem indulgent… or even lazy. But Scripture tells a different story. In both the Old Testament (law of the Sabbath) and the New Testament (invitation of Jesus), we find that rest is not just a good idea, it’s a godly command and a gracious gift.

God’s command in Exodus 20 is clear. “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work… For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth… but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” (Exodus 20:8–11)

The Sabbath wasn’t an afterthought. It was woven into creation itself. God didn’t rest on the seventh day because He was tired. He rested to model something essential for us. We are not machines designed to run nonstop. We are image-bearers designed for rhythms of work and rest.

Jesus talks about the importance of rest, too. In Matthew 11:28-30, we read our Savior’s words, “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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Jesus invites the weary to Himself, not to give them more to do, but to give them rest. He doesn’t offer escape, but a better way to carry the load. That word “yoke” that Jesus uses reminds us this isn’t rest from all responsibility, but it’s rest in Him, with Him, beside Him. When we walk with Jesus, our striving turns into trusting.

My husband, Jeff, is a hard worker, one of the most dedicated people I know. He works full-time, runs his own small business, and keeps himself constantly busy with home projects and hobbies. It’s rare to find him still. His drive and diligence are admirable, but over the years, he’s begun to notice something: when he finally slows down, he feels better… not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.

Jeff is a living example of what many of us experience. We keep going, driven by responsibility, purpose, or habit. But in the process, we ignore one of God’s foundational designs for us: the Sabbath. Rest isn’t a weakness or an afterthought. It’s part of the very rhythm of creation. God worked six days and rested on the seventh, not because He needed to, but to show us that rest is holy.

Jesus’ words in Matthew are just as essential: “Come to me, all you who are weary…” He knows how exhausted we get, how heavy our burdens can become. But rather than pushing us to do more, He invites us to come to Him and find rest. His yoke is easy, not because life is always easy, but because walking with Jesus means we’re not pulling the weight alone.

Ignoring rest isn’t just unwise, it’s disobedient. And that disobedience often shows up as stress, anxiety, burnout, and fractured relationships. Our overcommitment isn’t just hurting our calendars, it’s harming our souls. When we treat rest as optional, we not only exhaust ourselves, we miss the blessing of the renewal that God wants to give us. Rest is not a retreat from responsibility; it’s a return to reliance. It’s not inactivity; it’s intentional trust.

As Jeff nears retirement, he’s beginning to pay more attention to rest and he’s discovering what God designed all along. When we slow down, we make space for healing, for presence, and for peace.