The Art of Resting is Hard to Master
I've always found it hard to just slow down and rest. Even as a young child, I was involved in everything possible. Sports, cultural evening, concerts, camp. If you can name it, I probably did it. Resting has never come easy to me. I think that I partly get it from my dad because he works so hard, always has. I've also always found it hard to totally switch off from the world. I once forgot my phone at home and I honestly couldn't function. I don't wear a watch, so you can imagine that my orientation was way off for the day. As a student, if I miss one email from a lecturer or an announcement about the venue for my next lecture, you can see how that has the potential to mess up my day.
I have found out though, that not resting has a way of catching up with you. It catches up with you physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally and spiritually. One could literally work themselves into a nervous breakdown, a stroke or a coma. That was a bit dramatic, but I think you get the point. Linking it with the blogs from the last two weeks, I always thought that in order to be successful you need to work hard. You need to be up when others are sleeping. That's what I've always believed. Resting was, and sometimes is something that I'm forced to do when holiday time comes. I'm one of those people who think that a month long vacation is excessive. What are you going to be doing with all that time?!
Upon looking for the definition for rest (you know by now that I LOVE definitions), Merriam-Webster Dictionary gave a variety of definitions and there are a few that spoke to me. These included; freedom from activity or labour, a state of motionlessness or inactivity, peace of mind or spirit, and freedom from anxieties. In the fast paced world that we live in, you always have to show that you've been productive, and that somehow validates how you spent the hours of the day. We're always toiling and sweating in order to have something to show at the end of the day. It gets tiring.
Over the past few months I have come to appreciate the art of resting. Some people are really good at it, it comes naturally to them. Whereas some people, like myself, have to force themselves to do it. But recently, I've been asking myself what rest really means. Is it really just sitting and not working on anything? Is it sleeping for 12 hours and then waking up to shower and eat only to go back to sleep right after? Is rest going on a holiday (because going on a holiday is also hard work)? Is rest being locked up in your room with a novel with instrumentals playing in the background? What does rest really look like?
I call resting an art because when you've mastered the art of something you are seen as having a skill at doing that specific thing, typically acquired through practice. Ever thought of that? That in order to be good at resting you need to practice it? I suppose one wouldn't be successful at resting if they only did it once a year. It requires frequent practice.
When God rested on the 7th day, I do not think that He actually needed rest. I think that He was demonstrating the way in which we ought to live our lives. One of the countless things that I love about God is that everything that He requires for us to do He has given us an example of. God worked, He created the earth and then He looked at what He had created, complimented it and then rested. I am yet to master the art of resting, but I sure am grateful for the example that my Father has given. Have you figured out the art of resting? If you have, leave a comment below. I'd love to take some tips from you.
I have found out though, that not resting has a way of catching up with you. It catches up with you physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally and spiritually. One could literally work themselves into a nervous breakdown, a stroke or a coma. That was a bit dramatic, but I think you get the point. Linking it with the blogs from the last two weeks, I always thought that in order to be successful you need to work hard. You need to be up when others are sleeping. That's what I've always believed. Resting was, and sometimes is something that I'm forced to do when holiday time comes. I'm one of those people who think that a month long vacation is excessive. What are you going to be doing with all that time?!
Upon looking for the definition for rest (you know by now that I LOVE definitions), Merriam-Webster Dictionary gave a variety of definitions and there are a few that spoke to me. These included; freedom from activity or labour, a state of motionlessness or inactivity, peace of mind or spirit, and freedom from anxieties. In the fast paced world that we live in, you always have to show that you've been productive, and that somehow validates how you spent the hours of the day. We're always toiling and sweating in order to have something to show at the end of the day. It gets tiring.
Over the past few months I have come to appreciate the art of resting. Some people are really good at it, it comes naturally to them. Whereas some people, like myself, have to force themselves to do it. But recently, I've been asking myself what rest really means. Is it really just sitting and not working on anything? Is it sleeping for 12 hours and then waking up to shower and eat only to go back to sleep right after? Is rest going on a holiday (because going on a holiday is also hard work)? Is rest being locked up in your room with a novel with instrumentals playing in the background? What does rest really look like?
I call resting an art because when you've mastered the art of something you are seen as having a skill at doing that specific thing, typically acquired through practice. Ever thought of that? That in order to be good at resting you need to practice it? I suppose one wouldn't be successful at resting if they only did it once a year. It requires frequent practice.
When God rested on the 7th day, I do not think that He actually needed rest. I think that He was demonstrating the way in which we ought to live our lives. One of the countless things that I love about God is that everything that He requires for us to do He has given us an example of. God worked, He created the earth and then He looked at what He had created, complimented it and then rested. I am yet to master the art of resting, but I sure am grateful for the example that my Father has given. Have you figured out the art of resting? If you have, leave a comment below. I'd love to take some tips from you.