In a world that glorifies constant hustle, the concept of rest often gets overshadowed—especially at this time of year when the bustle of Christmas is just getting started.
Yet, rest is far from a passive activity—it’s a deliberate choice and intentional practice to invest in the nurturing of our physical, mental, spiritual and emotional well-being.
Take Jesus for example.
In the Gospel of Mark, we read about Jesus at the height of his career (so to speak), making time for rest and encouraging his disciples to get away.
“He said to them, ‘You come apart into a deserted place, and rest awhile.’” —Mark 6:31a, WEB
He knew that in the midst of all the teaching, preaching, traveling, and noise of the crowds, remembering to connect with what and who matter most is a far greater indication of meaning than any type of hype, traction, increase in numbers, or personal sense of accomplishment.
But in a society that values busyness, rest can feel counterintuitive.
So, as we explore the soul work of rest this month, may we offer you a gentle phrase to serve as a helpful reminder?
The daily rest.
As Jesus demonstrated the importance of rest by inviting his disciples into places of silence, solitude, and stillness, may we all, too, consider where and when the daily rest might best fit into our day-to-day rhythms.
Whether it’s a walk in nature, turning off the radio/music/podcast for 10 minutes of silence in the car, sitting up in bed first thing in the morning rather than jumping into action, or simply reflecting on where rest can and does occur in the fullness of our days, whatever it may look like, can we pause this month to explore the soul work of rest by cultivating the daily rest?
If we create the space, the “rest” is up to God (pun intended).
-With Joy
A Pause to Practice
The following practice is an ancient way of Christian prayer in which space is created to listen and pay attention to the Holy at work by entering into a sacred image. This form of praxis is an invitation into the S.A.C.R.E.D. art of seeing. As you sit with the artwork provided, consider what invitation into rest nudges you.
- Stillness: Find a comfortable place of quiet. Take a few deep breaths. Invite God’s presence.
- Acknowledge: Gaze gently over the entire image, allowing yourself to notice as many details as you can – shapes, colors, lighting, foreground, background, and symbols.
- Center: Notice what captures your attention, what your eyes are drawn to, or where your thoughts linger. Notice what inspires you, and perhaps what you might also be avoiding.
- Reflect: Meditate on any part of the image that has captured you. How might God be speaking to you through this? What might the message and meaning be? Is there an invitation in this for you?
- Express: Find words or a prayer of your heart to articulate the thoughts, emotions, memories, or desires that have awakened. Give voice to the insights you’ve gained.
- Dwell: Savor this sacred time. Rest in simple silence. Linger in the holiness of this space and place of practice.
Click here for a high-res / full-print version of this art.
A Prompt to Ponder
“What if your markers of success were how well you slept at night? How many books you read? How easily you laughed? How much time you spent storytelling, or feeling warm in the arms and homes of people you adore?”.
A Passage to Pray
“My soul rests in God alone. My salvation is from him. He alone is my rock, my salvation, and my fortress. I will never be greatly shaken.”
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- Click here for previous month’s art offerings
