notesbynora

It seems like life never stops moving. There’s always something that needs doing — a sink full of dishes, an inbox full of messages, a heart full of worries. We run from one thing to the next, sometimes even doing good things, but we forget something vital: God didn’t just create work; He also created rest.

When God finished creating the world, He didn’t rush on to the next project. He didn’t keep spinning stars or shaping seas. Genesis 2:2 says, “By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work.”

Think about that — the Almighty, who never grows tired, chose to rest. Not because He needed to, but because He was setting an example for us. He was showing us that rest is holy.

Rest isn’t laziness. It’s obedience. It’s trust. When we take time to slow down, we’re saying to God, “I believe You can hold the world together even when I stop striving.” Rest reminds us that we are not the source — He is.

We live in a culture that glorifies busyness. We measure our worth by how much we accomplish. But God measures our hearts by how much we abide in Him. Sometimes the holiest thing we can do is sit still, breathe deeply, and thank Him for the life around us — the laughter of loved ones, the warmth of sunlight through the window, the peace of knowing we are His.

The Sabbath isn’t just about doing nothing; it’s about doing what matters most — resting, reflecting, worshiping, and reconnecting with those we love. It’s about remembering that our bodies, minds, and spirits need time to be renewed. Even Jesus often withdrew from the crowds to pray and rest in His Father’s presence.

Maybe you’ve been pushing yourself too hard lately — trying to keep everything together and not let anyone down. Hear this gently: you don’t have to carry it all. God is inviting you to lay it down, to breathe, to find stillness again.

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28

Take a walk without your phone. Sit on the porch and listen to the quiet. Laugh around the dinner table. Close your eyes and whisper a prayer of thanks. The world won’t fall apart when you rest — but your heart might just come back together.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the gift of rest. Forgive me for the times I’ve filled my days so full that I left no room for You. Teach me to slow down, to find joy in stillness, and to trust You with all that’s unfinished. Help me honor the Sabbath by resting my mind and spirit in You. Renew me, refresh me, and remind me that I am enough because You are enough. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28