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The Gift of Imposed Rest

This weekend in Louisville, most of us had a few days of divinely imposed rest. The snow fell faster than the plows could move it, so many of us have had to spend more time than usual at home. We were forced, as my late mother-in-law used to say, to be “human beings” rather than “human doings.” We were forced into repose.

Rest is an activity of God of which He says, “Follow me.” After He made the heavens and earth, the plants and animals, and man and woman, He rested “from all his work that he had done” (Gen. 2:2). Then He commanded the nation of Israel to weekly receive rest and to give rest to everyone and everything under their care. In the Ten Commandments, God graciously commanded, “You shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates” (Ex. 20:10). No work, just rest! We should not be surprised when, from time to time, God drops snow from the sky to impose the rest He so clearly wants us to enjoy.

When we rest, muscles grow, blood pressure goes down, injuries heal, energy is replenished, soreness declines, and we tend to perform better physically. Resting seems to make people nicer as well (just compare a Chick-fil-A drive-thru to any other drive-thru).

As important as physical rest is, nothing is more important than spiritual rest.

Finding Our Spiritual Snow Day

Our souls need rest. Sin has left us “weary and heavy laden” (Matt. 11:28). Without Christ, our souls exist in an exhausting dual awareness. We know we must do all the good things God commands, and we know we don’t do anything with the goodness and righteousness God requires. Our consciences accuse us (Rom. 2:15). The Law terrifyingly condemns us, saying, “Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them” (Dt. 27:26). How can you rest when guilt (sometimes gnawing in the background, sometimes screaming in the foreground) will not leave you alone? Where is the snow day that will give us rest from our spiritual exhaustion?

In Jesus, we find rest greater than any snow day. His life accomplished everything the Law demands of us (Phil. 2:8). His death pays the curse we deserve (Gal. 3:13). His humble leadership in our lives brings rest to our souls (Matt. 11:29). His death on the cross washes us whiter than snow (Ps. 51:7). Beloved, we should rest in Jesus like we rest on the couch on a snow day. Lay all of the weight of your guilty soul on Him. Feel the joy of having nothing to do to gain acceptance with God.

Remember and Rest

When we rest in the finished work of Jesus and we enjoy the blood-bought fellowship He has secured for us, spiritual muscles begin to strengthen. Ligaments that have grown tight and brittle begin to regain their elasticity as they are infused with joy. Wounds from the shameful sins of our past begin to heal. Faith is nourished. Anxious guilt subsides, flooding the heart with peace. Love’s sweet energy begins to rise in our hearts, and transformed thoughts begin to renew our minds. Are you resting in Christ?

Do you need a spiritual snow day? A time when you focus exclusively on the finished work of Christ. A season where you cry to God, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation” (Ps. 51:12). Does the tank of your soul need to be refueled by the gospel before you keep driving hard in a life of obedience? Don’t get me wrong; obedience is good. Good works are a necessary part of our Christian lives. But good works are like a dangerous dog if they get off the leash of the gospel. Obedience that does not arise from the rest the gospel provides will quickly degenerate into legalism. Good works that are motivated by mere habit, community expectations, or fear of judgment will quickly leave our souls tired and worn out.

Take some time today to remember Jesus Christ and the rest He provides for your soul, and when you’ve completed that focused time, don’t quit. Continue. Walk in rest. Take each step today, enjoying the rest you have in Him.